Thai Civil Groups Protest Chinese-Funded Mines Polluting Mekong River at Chinese Consulate

(CNA, Reporter Li Zongxuan, Bangkok, 6th) Several civil groups from Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in Thailand gathered at the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai today to protest Chinese-funded mines in Myanmar for discharging heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the Mekong River basin, calling on the Chinese government to take concrete action to curb the worsening pollution.

Thai Public Television (Thai PBS) reported today that protest groups pointed out that mining activities operated by Chinese-funded enterprises in Myanmar have caused the Mekong River basin to be polluted by heavy metals and toxic chemicals, posing a health threat to residents who rely on the Mekong River and its tributaries for irrigation and livelihood, and endangering fish and other aquatic life.

The report quoted the protest groups as saying that people are worried that fish catches are contaminated with heavy metals and are unwilling to buy them, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen in about 60 fishing villages in Chiang Rai Province. In addition, businesses in riverside restaurants and related tourism operators have seen a decline, causing about 40,000 households to lose their sources of income.

According to reports, protesting citizens submitted a petition letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling on the Chinese government to take action, and pointed out that China has issued three statements on the Mekong River pollution issue since June 8 last year, expressing concern and promising to strengthen supervision of mining activities by Chinese-funded enterprises.

According to the official website of the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Thailand responded on June 10 to a reporter's question about heavy metal exceeding standards in rivers within Thailand, stating that China highly values the heavy metal pollution incident in the Mekong River tributaries within Thailand, and has also noted relevant testing reports. "China supports Thailand and Myanmar in strengthening communication and coordination, conducting scientific and responsible investigations, and resolving issues through friendly consultation."

Thai civil groups demand that the Chinese government strengthen supervision and inspection of Chinese enterprises and Chinese-funded enterprises, hold those who discharge toxic substances into rivers accountable according to law, and investigate the sources of minerals such as tin, lead, copper, and rare earths transported from Thailand to China.

The civil groups also called on Beijing to send a delegation to the mining areas in Myanmar for on-site investigations to confirm whether the mining operations comply with international environmental standards and to publicly disclose the investigation results.

Thai Public Television reported that the relevant mines are mostly located in border areas of Myanmar close to China and are controlled by local armed forces, including the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Karen National Union (KNU). (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150706

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