Better Control of North China River: Vice-Premier

Better Control of North China River: Vice-Premier

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Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao has urged local governments to exert greater efforts in dealing with the issues of water shortage, water pollution and flood-control concerning the Haihe River, in north China.

The river area covers Beijing, the national capital, Tianjin, a major port city in north China, and Hebei Province.

The vice-premier, who is also director of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, made an investigation tour of water conservancy facilities in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei May 10-14.

The water shortage, pollution and floods in the Haihe River area are becoming major factors hampering local economic and social development, Wen said. To resolve these problems is of great importance to large cities like Beijing and Tianjin, he stressed.

He urged local governments to take measures of various kinds to save water, set up a water-pollution prevention system, adopt stricter standards on sewage discharge and deal with the issue of floods in the area.

The water pollution of the Guanting Reservoir at Beijing outskirts must be tackled as soon as possible, so that it can resume its role as a source of drinking water for the capital.