China justifies Yarlung Zangbo River exploitation

BEIJING - China has clarified its stance on exploiting the Yarlung Zangbo River, saying it takes a responsible attitude to using cross-border water resources.

At a daily press briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the comments when responding to a question on the issue.

Media reports have said China plans to build three hydropower stations on the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, also known as the Tsangpo River. The reports quoted an energy plan for China's 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015).

This has worried India on the lower reaches of the river.

Hong said, "The Chinese side always takes a responsible attitude towards the exploitation of cross-border rivers and every new project will be planned and reasoned in a scientific way (before being started)."

He added that the interests of the countries on the upper and lower reaches are all taken into consideration.