From Dec. 12 to 28 in 2017, the central route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project opened its doors to public visitors for the first time at the aqueduct of its water source, as well as at locations along the route in Henan province, Hebei province, Tianjin and Beijing. More than 1,000 public visitors arrived to tour the facilities and learn about the project firsthand.
During the event, visitors were briefed on the operation of the project, learned about the challenges encountered by the project's engineers and other aspects of the project. A promotional event for the project is significant as it benefits both the public and the project itself.
Garnering wide attention from the public, the water diversion project has become the lifeline for the people living in northern China. The volume, quality, prices and safety of the diverted water are the concerns of the general public. There are doubts about the project due to a lack of information and understanding. Educating and informing the public merely through official voices is hardly the way to dismiss the doubts surrounding the project. Holding public receptions like this will enable the public to get the firsthand information of the project with the help of professional guides, and this is the most effective way. Therefore, more events such as this should be held in the future.
Holding the public reception is the first step for the project to be more open to the public. In the future, promotional campaigns should be established as a routine annual activity. In doing so, a long-term mechanism of communication should be forged to create a better environment for the project.