Chinese Vice-Premier on Drought-Relief WorkVice-Premier Wen Jiabao Monday urged various localities and departments concerned to take immediate measures to combat drought this summer, in a bid to reduce drought losses as much as possible.Addressing a national televised and telephone conference on drought resistance, the vice-premier said that drought has afflicted the areas north of the Yangtze River ever since this spring started. Meanwhile, rainfall has decreased dramatically in the eastern part of northwest China, most of northern China, and the areas around the Yellow and Huaihe rivers. The constant drought has resulted in serious damage to the farm crops in vast areas and caused shortages of water in the cities. The vice-premier called on local governments at various levels to pay great attention to the drought-relief work and take measures to solve practical problems on the spot. He urged them to explore new ways to fight the drought, and work out a scientific mechanism to ensure the rational and sustainable utilization of water resources. The vice-premier stressed the importance of water saving, scientific regulation of water sources, and comprehensive treatment of water conservancy projects. |
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