Some 25 hydrological stations along the Mekong River in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and China will use the same equipment to collect hydrological data from different parts of the river from June 16 to Oct. 16, MRC's Chief Executive Officer Joern Kristensen told Xinhua in a telephone interview.

By using the equipment, two stations in southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan can promptly provide the lower stream countries with hydrological data reading on Mekong's upper stream, which is called Lancang River in China.

The standardized data reading system, which memorized data on SIM cards at different stations and downloaded all at computer terminals, would improve the accuracy of flood forecast in the Lower Mekong Basin, which experienced floods from June to October each year, according to MRC's Communications Officer Delia Paul.

China and MRC exchanged hydrological data in the flood season of last year after the two sides signed a related agreement in last April.

Last year's flood forecast in the Lower Mekong Basin was more precise than the previous years due to the Chinese contribution to data collection, said Kristensen.

The standardized data reading system will improve the accuracy and promptness of flood forecast in the lower reaches region and also signify the good relations between China and MRC, according to Kristensen.

MRC and China were now considering enlarging the exchange of hydrological data for the whole year, said Kristensen, adding that the goal might be achieved next year.

The Mekong River, originating from China as the Lancang River, runs 4,909 kilometers through China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, covering a vast area with a population of some 250 million.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2003)