PREMIER Li Keqiang said China would accelerate water conservation projects to tackle its water shortage and bolster wider economic growth, the Xinhua news agency said yesterday.

    China is set to launch 172 key water conservation projects in coming years, with those already under way worth around 600 billion yuan (US$98 billion).

    Li made the remarks during a visit to the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) on Monday, noting that water conservation was as important as investment in urban renovation and railway construction, Xinhua said.

    Li prioritized central and western regions to address regional water issues, which included diversion projects, reservoirs and irrigation.

    It will not only conserve water but attract investment, boost employment, improve incomes of rural dwellers, bolster industry and even stabilize the economic growth, Li said.

    All projects, both under construction or still at the discussion stage, should be quickened in a bid to provide a sustainable driving force for growth.

    “The projects will have significant influence on water use, the environment, food security, fighting poverty and driving growth,” Wang Annan, senior engineer with the MWR, said.

    Li described water conservation as of equal significance and urgency to railway construction and renovation of rundown urban areas, which are usually seen as quick and effective tools to weather an economic downturn.

    China’s economy expanded 7.3 percent in the third quarter, slightly lower than the first two quarters, but remained in a reasonable range.

    The premier also hoped the market would play a bigger role and suggested a new financing mechanism to encourage private capital to join the programs.

    Li eyed more government funding and favorable policies to the water conservation projects, which concern people’s well-being and future development.

    China will provide clean drinking water to another 60 million people in 2014, according to a March report. Li urged governments at all levels to make genuine efforts to fulfill the commitment.

    The Chinese Government guaranteed safe drinking water for 247 million rural dwellers and 34.37 million students and teachers in countryside during the 2011-2015 period. Plagued by uneven water resources, floods and droughts, China’s water resources per capita are only 28 percent of the global average.(SD-Agencies)