China has planned to cut its water consumption for per unit GDP
growth by 20 percent by the end of 2010, or an annual drop of 4
percent during the 2006-10 period, according to the Ministry of
Water Resources.
According to the target, a total of 69 billion cubic meters of
water will be saved in the five-year period through reduction of
per unit GDP water consumption.
Statistics from the ministry show that China's per 10,000 yuan
GDP water consumption was 399 cubic meters in 2004, about four
times the world average and eight times that of the US and other
developed countries.
China's water consumption for per 10,000 yuan industrial added
value was 196 cubic meters in 2004, compared with less than 50
cubic meters in developed countries.
China only had 60 percent to 65 percent of its industrial water
recycled, compared with 80 percent to 85 percent in developed
countries.
"There is huge potential for water saving in China," said Wang Shucheng, minister of water resources.
According to plan, China will establish 100 pilot projects in
water saving in the 2006-10 period and successful experiences drawn
from the pilot projects will be popularized across the country.
China will also control the gross amount of water consumption
and set water consumption quotas to reach the goal of water
saving.
Localities will be required to establish their mechanism to
manage use of water.
Currently, China's per capita water resources are about 2,200
cubic meters, or one-fourth of the world's average.
(Xinhua News Agency February 22, 2007)
