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Communities along the mighty Mekong blame China for their shrinking catches. (Photo: AFP/TANG CHHIN SOTHY)
KANDAL, Cambodia: Cambodian fisherman Sles Hiet lives at the mercy of the Mekong: A massive river that feeds tens of millions but is under threat from the Chinese dams cementing Beijing’s physical – and diplomatic – control over its Southeast Asian neighbours.
The 32-year-old, whose ethnic Cham Muslim community live on rickety house boats that bob along a river bend in Kandal province, says the size of his daily catch has been shrinking by the year.

Ảnh minh họa : Một con kênh tại huyện Long Phú, tỉnh Sóc Trăng, châu thổ sông Mêkông cạn khô nước. Ảnh chụp ngày 08/03/2016. STR / AFP


Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh addresses the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (GA) in New York.VNA/VNS photo Hữu Hoàng


Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in metro Manila