BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- China said Thursday that its hydropower development on transnational rivers is subject to ecological and other assessments.

    "The Chinese government attaches great importance to the utilization and protection of transnational rivers inside Chinese territory," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in Beijing.

    Ma made the remarks in reply to a reporter's question concerning a recent U.N. report which warned that building dams on the Lancang River, or the Mekong when it runs into southeast Asia, may pose threat to the future of the river.

    Ma said China would give equal attention to hydropower development on transnational rivers and ecological protection.

    The relevant departments who are responsible for the development of the rivers are very cautious of possible ecological effects, Ma said.