Members of civic groups in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai provinces rallied today in Chiang Mai to protest against the unregulated discharge of heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the Mekong River and its tributaries.
The protesters accused Chinese-funded mining firms operating in Myanmar of contaminating the river system through their mining operations.
The groups allege that the contaminants pose a health risk to people who rely on water from the Mekong River and its tributaries for drinking, agriculture and their livelihoods. They also warn that the toxic chemicals are threatening fish and other aquatic life.
They claim that fishermen in 60 villages have lost their livelihoods because consumers are avoiding their catches for fear they contain heavy metals. They also say that about 40,000 families have lost income because tourists have stopped visiting restaurants and other businesses located along the rivers in Chiang Rai province.
A letter addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping was submitted to the Chinese Consulate General, urging action to address the problem and reminding the Chinese government of three statements it has issued since June 8 last year expressing concern over the pollution and promising to regulate mining by Chinese companies and Chinese-funded firms.
In those statements, the Chinese government also pledged to use the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) framework to address the problem and protect the Mekong River's ecosystem and environment.
The LMC framework is a multilateral partnership established in 2015 by the six countries along the Mekong River: China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
In the letter, the civic groups called on the Chinese government to regulate, inspect and take action against Chinese-owned or Chinese-funded mining companies responsible for discharging toxic substances into the rivers.
They also urged the Chinese government to trace the origins of metals, including tin, manganese, antimony, lead, copper and rare earth elements, imported into China via Thailand.
The groups further called on Beijing to send a delegation to inspect mining operations in Myanmar to ensure they comply with international environmental standards and to make the inspection findings public.
They said the rally was intended to convey their concerns to both the Thai and Chinese governments and to urge them to address the problem seriously.
Most of the mining operations are located in territories near the Chinese border that are controlled by Myanmar armed groups, including the United Wa State Army and the Karen National Union.
