WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST
Curating news, commentary and resources on development, its environmental and social impacts, and the context affecting the Mekong Region
MEKONG DEVELOPMENT
World’s forgotten fish species vital for hundreds of millions of people but one-third face extinction
“Despite their importance to local communities, freshwater fish are invariably forgotten. Freshwater fish matter to the health of people and the freshwater ecosystems that all people and all life on land depend on. It’s time we remembered that,” said Mr. Seng Teak, Country Director of WWF-Cambodia.
CAMBODIA
Bridge linking Kampong Cham and Tboung Khmum to open for public soon
This is the eighth bridge the Chinese government is embarking on to construct with Cambodia, the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia wrote on its Facebook page recently.
LAOS
Laos Braces for Promise, Peril of China’s High-Speed Railway
As for tiny Laos, they add, it could boost a heavily resource-reliant economy with more trade, tourists and industry — if at the cost of crippling debt and the growing sway of its giant neighbor.
Thailand
Power a priority to cope with Thai EEC demands
“In the next four to five years, old power plants will need to be removed from the 4,000-5,000MW system, with the expanding economy increasing demand for electricity. Therefore, all parties have to accelerate the planning of sufficient power generation capacity.”
Vietnam
Can Tho waste-to-power plant adds 113 million kWh to national grid
About 70 percent of the city’s daily household waste, or nearly 350 tonnes, are burned using international-standard technology by China Everbright Group.