China dismisses US criticism over dams

Beijing dismissed criticism from the United States after a US official claimed that China's construction of dams on the upper Lancang (Mekong) River had a detrimental effect on lower Mekong countries.

"Related comments by a US official are groundless and they have ulterior motives," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a news conference in Beijing on Friday.

A senior US State Department official told the media on Thursday that the Mekong originates in China, which has influence on the resource that affects downstream areas, so countries along the river have to manage some of those impacts.