China's plan to dynamite the Pi Long rapids and other sections of the Mekong between Thailand and Laos to allow bigger cargo ships has met with opposition from Thai protesters who say this will harm the environment and bring trade advantages only to China. Niwat Roykaew, Chairman of the Rak Chiang Khong Conservation Group, which is campaigning against the project said "This will be the death of the Mekong. You'll never be able to revive it." He added that blasting the Mekong will destroy fish breeding grounds, disrupt migrating birds and cause increased water flow that will erode riverside farmland.Second Harbour Consultants, a subsidiary of state-owned behemoth China Communications Construction Corp (CCCC) (601800.SS) said it was surveying the Mekong for a report that China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand would use to decide whether blasting should go ahead. Thailand, Laos and Myanmar have approved the survey work, which is funded by China, but further studies and approvals are needed before blasting.The company said in an e-mail it had held meetings with local people "to communicate, build confidence and clear doubts." China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Comment: Clearing the Mekong for bigger ships is not officially a part of One Belt, One Road, a project announced in 2013. But some Chinese engineers involved in the survey speak of it as a part of the broader plan, and it is consistent with Beijing's Silk Road objectives.