Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu urged local authorities to
place great emphasis on solving water shortages in drought-hit
areas and water pollution Thursday。
Presiding a conference over water conservancy, Hui urged local
authorities to improve flood control and water supply abilities as
well as ensure ecological security.
To attain the goals of the 11th five-year plan (2006-2010) on
water conservancy development, Hui said efforts have to be made in
the following areas:
-- Promote sustainable development and use of water resources
and provide safe drinking water for 160 million rural
residents;
-- Improve abilities in disaster control and disaster
alleviation, speed up water projects development in flood- and
drought- hit area;
-- Intensify infrastructure development of water conservancy in
rural area and build better irrigation facilities;
-- Popularize water-saving concept in the whole society;
-- Attach more importance to protecting water resources and
reducing water pollution.
Hui also asked localities and related authorities to give high
priorities to water conservancy projects, deepen reforms of water
prices and financing system on water conservancy projects as well
as strengthen water resources management.
(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2007)