Cambodia hails China for discharging water to drought-hit Mekong River countries

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn on Tuesday praised China for releasing water to drought-hit Mekong River countries, a spokesman said.

The minister made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo, Chum Sounry, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.

"Cambodia and all countries along Mekong River welcomed and thanked China for discharging water into the downstream Mekong River so as to minimize the impact of drought in these countries," the spokesman quoted the minister as saying to ambassador Bu.

Prak Sokhonn also welcomed the news that China has released water into Mekong River for the third time, starting from April 11.

Downstream Mekong River countries include Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

During the talks, Bu conveyed congratulations from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Prak Sokhonn on his recent appointment as the foreign minister of Cambodia.

The two sides also discussed ways on further enhancing bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional and global issues.