BEIJING - China said Thursday it has always taken a responsible attitude in exploitation of the Lancang River, the upper Mekong River, and attached great importance to environmental and ecological protection along the river.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks when commenting on the reports that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday disasters or floods along the Mekong river were not caused by Chinese dams, but due to global climate change.

Hong told a regular news briefing in Beijing that China and countries along the Mekong were friendly neighbors, and the rational development and utilization of the river was in the overall interests of those countries.

"China has always fully considered the concerns of the countries in the lower reaches of the Mekong River in its water resources exploitation," Hong said.