China to discuss navigation tariff with Mekong countries
Source: CCTV, December 23, 2003.

Today, the third meeting among four Mekong countries, China, Laos, Thailand
and Myanmar, on navigation coordination, will be held in Kunming. In June
2001, the four countries officially inaugurate navigation on Mekong River.
The total cargo import and export in China has reached 230,000 tons, with
the annual increase of 4.2%.

The problems in navigation include the transit tariff. According to the
agreement, the commercial ships from four countries can enjoy free transit
tariff, which will be discussed in the meeting. The Chinese crew and Thai
merchants filed complaint to Laos for charging too high transit tariff.

Most cargo ships on Lancang-Mekong river are from China, and most cargo
transport are made between China and Thailand. Laos has once charged the
Chinese ships transit tariff for as high as 3,000 yuan.