CHINA-THAILAND: LOCAL GROUPS RESIST CHINESE COMPANIES
Nikkei Asian Review reported on March 26, 2018 that grassroots activists in Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province have successfully lobbied the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), a state power utility, to suspend its decision to purchase electricity from a controversial hydropower dam proposed by China's Datong Corporation on the Lao side of the Mekong river. Villagers ralied against the apprehended impact of the Pak Beng on the river.
Two other Chinese ventures namely the China Communications Construction Company and Second Harbor Consultants have been forced to put plans to blast stretches to clear islands and reefs to create channels in the Mekong for 500-ton cargo ships connecting China and Laos.
China's state-owned China Ming Ta Potash Corporation is meanwhile proceeding with plans to exploit rich potash deposits in Sakhon Nakhon, a northeastern province, despite opposition from local communities.
|