KUNMING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A total of 103,000 fry of rare fish were released into the Lancang River, a vital waterway for cross-border shipping, in southwest China's Yunnan Province on Wednesday.

The release activity was jointly organized by Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower Inc., Yunnan provincial fishery research institute, and other institutions at a power station terminal in the middle reaches of the Lancang River, also known as the Mekong River after it flows out of China.

A total of 103,000 fry of rare fish fry, including about 82,000 fry of Schizothorax lissolabiatus, a type of ray-finned fish endemic to the area, were released into the river.

The comparatively mild water flow in the release site could aid the fry in adapting to their new water environment and ensure their survival rate.

"The release activity is of great significance to the protection of rare fish populations in the Lancang River, and could also contribute to the replenishment of indigenous fish resources and the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity in the river," said Wu Jingdong, an associate researcher with the provincial fishery research institute.