China to invest 200 million yuan in dredging Lancang River
www.chinaview.cn 2004-03-17 10:37:54
KUNMING, March 17 (Xinhuanet) -- China will dredge parts of the Lancang-Mekong River, which runs through six Asian countries, to improve navigation on dangerous parts of the river.
The dredging project covers a section between Simao Port and Guanlei Dock in southwest China's Yunnan Province with a total length of 158 km. It started in the spring of this year and will cost an estimated investment of 200 million yuan (24 million US dollars).
When dredging on the 158-km section is complete, ships below 300 deadweight tons will be able to travel from China to other countries along the river all year round.
Originating at the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Lancang-Mekong River runs through Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and China with a total length of 4,880 km. Its lower reaches outside of China are known as the Mekong.
The Lancang-Mekong River opened to commercial navigation in China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in 2001. However, ships could not sail in the section all the year round due to rapids, sharp curves and shallow water in the dry season.
Until the end of 2003, China had invested 90 million yuan (10.8 million US dollars) to harness the section between Simao Port and Guanlei Dock to allow ships of 100 deadweight tons to navigate the section.
Statistics showed the volume of water transport on the Lancang-Mekong River rose to 235,000 tons last year. Enditem
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