The Economic Quadrangle Plan involving China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand has further spurred development of the river as a commercial opportunity. China has initiated a program of dredging and removal of rapids, reefs and shoals in conjunction with plans for construction of a cascade of hydroelectric dams in Yunnan Province, several of which are already in operation. The stated goal is to eventually enable vessels of 500 DWT to ply the route between Simao Port in Yunnan and Luangprabang, Laos, with some twelve other ports in between