Water flowing from China only contributes 20 percent of the Mekong's water volume that reaches the river basin nations, while the remaining 80 percent is fed from water sources in Laos.

    "The hydropower stations built on the Lancang River will not increase the chances of floods and drought disasters downstream, instead, it will considerably enhance the capacity of flood controls, drought relief, irrigation and the overall water supply for downstream countries," said Chen.

    International water and environmental experts have also said climate change is to blame for the drought, which has also badly affected Southwestern China.

    "The wet season started late and ended early last year. This is why rivers such as the Mekong are experiencing low water levels," Ian Campbell, senior environmentalist with the Mekong River Commission, was quoted as saying by the Asia Times Online.

    "If the frequency of this pattern is increasing, then there is a case to be made that it is the result of climate change," Robert Mather, head of the Thai arm of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), said.

    "The drought is a natural phenomenon in the ecosystem process and, with the climate change in recent years, and an increase in extreme weather," said Ma Chaode, Director of Freshwater Program, WWF China. "It's unfair to say this is China's responsibility."

    Pang Zhongying, a senior expert on world politics at Beijing-based Renmin University of China, noted similar problems plague international rivers all over the world.

    "It does no good for countries involved to blame each other, or to try to politicize the problem. The only solution will be to face the fact, admit it, and calmly weigh the pros and cons," he said.

    (Source: China Daily)