This study reviewed the water resources cooperation and development history in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin (LMRB) from three stages of local cooperation, integrated management and comprehensive cooperation in LMRB. The current problems and difficulties in the joint development and utilization of water resources in LMRB were pointed out. By analyzing the adaptability of the three basic allocation modes applied in LMRB, the limitations of each basic allocation mode were explored and summarized. A composite allocation mode which is suitable for the actual conditions of LMRB was proposed. The results show that: 1) The current cooperation has been progressing well and the foundation for basin cooperation has been established in cooperation platforms, mechanisms, etc., with achievements in trade and commerce, shipping, water security, and environment. The critical problem needed to be resolved currently is to satisfy the demands of water resources and to ensure water security. 2) The three basic allocation modes cannot be applied in the LMRB separately, since each has its own different limitations. 3) The proposed composite allocation mode is more flexible, safe and forward-looking, highly harmonious with actuality of LMRB, which could uniformly meet the demands for water resources and ensure water security and improve the efficiency of water resources utilization. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen research in areas such as basin cooperation, environmental change impacts, water benefits allocation and compensation, and allocation fairness evaluation to ensure the smooth operation of the composite allocation mode. Thus, it could facilitate to improve the allocation efficiency of water resources and maximize the water benefits in the whole basin.
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