China said it has been closely monitoring reports of heavy metal contamination in tributaries of the Mekong River in Thailand and understands growing public concern over the environmental and health impacts.
The statement, issued by a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, came after groups of protesters gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok and the Chinese Consulate-General in Chiang Mai to raise concerns over pollution in tributaries of the Mekong River.
The embassy said China attaches great importance to the issue and has been following reports of heavy metal contamination in the affected waterways. It also acknowledged the concerns of communities living along the river basin over potential risks to the environment and public health.
The spokesperson said the rivers in question are transboundary waterways shared by Thailand and Myanmar, stressing that the source of the contamination should be determined through an investigation based on facts, scientific evidence and responsibility.
China supports Thailand and Myanmar in strengthening communication and coordination and carrying out a joint investigation as soon as possible to identify those responsible and address the issue appropriately, the statement said.
The embassy added that protecting the Mekong River ecosystem is a shared responsibility of all countries in the basin. China said it is ready to strengthen cooperation with Mekong nations on water resource management and environmental conservation to safeguard the river’s ecological security.
