China has welcomed representatives from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to discuss the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. The initiative, which started five years ago, aims to enhance sustainable water development along the river, known as Lancang in China but Mekong in southeast Asia. China has invited representatives from five other participating nations to tour two hydropower stations and a resettlement village along the Lancang, as well as to attend a meeting on water resources cooperation. The purpose for their visit is to understand the stations.

In response to the U.S. saying China's dams in the region have caused a drought, the visit also hopes to help representatives gain a better understanding on China's water use along the upstream. Experts say the drought is due to a decline of rainfall both upstream and downstream. A Thai representative shares his thoughts on the trip.

MONGKOL VISITSTUMP Consul-General of Thailand in Kunming "This helps enhance trust-building and facilitate effective water management of all downstream countries in Mekong, our shared river, for the benefit of not only waterway transportation but also water usages for other purposes , including agriculture."