Effective measures should be taken to stop soil erosion at the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River, said Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC).

Li made the remarks at a meeting held in Beijing Tuesday by the NPC's Environment and Resources Protection Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on harnessing the Yellow River.

There have been successful efforts in controlling the river in the last 50 years, but effective measures are needed to permanently bring the second longest river in China under control.

In June this year, the NPC's Environment and Resources Protection Committee took the lead in organizing a group of 14 ministries and bureaux from the central government to inspect the river.

In almost two months, the group traveled more than 20,000 km studying the Yellow River valley. They brought back with them practical suggestions about controlling the river.

Li said the Yellow River is the wellspring of Chinese culture, but its floods have caused untold suffering over the centuries." It has always been the strong wish of the Chinese people to permanently control the river."

Li said that an important step in harnessing the river is afforestation.

He also stressed the importance of utilizing the river's water wisely, urging that priority should be given to developing agriculture and industry that conserves the water and prevents the water from being polluted.

"To control the river is a systematic project," said Li, who suggested that the State Council formulate relevant regulations as soon as possible.

Li also urged coordination between the legislature and administrative organs to revise China's Water Law. (Xinhua)