China to launch strict water protection measures
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China will carry out strict water resource management measures to fight water shortages, Minister of Water Resources Chen Lei said Sunday.
The measures will focus on three "red lines," or security lines -- water overexploitation, water usage efficiency and pollution -- said Chen at a press conference after the central authorities Saturday issued its first document of the year.
China will intensify efforts to accelerate the development of the nation's water conservancy and promote the sustainable use of water resources, said the document, known as the No. 1 document, which usually reflects government priorities each year.
The No. 1 document sets targets to improve China's relatively backward water conservancy situation over the next five to 10 years, Chen said.
China suffers a 40-billion-cubic-meter water shortage annually, with two thirds of cities having trouble accessing water, Chen said.
Water safety problems have been tackled for 210 million rural residents and existing rural water problems will be solved by 2013, with new problems being tackled by the end of the 12th five-year plan period (2011-2015), Chen said.
