The State Council issued an ordinance to publish the Statue on the Approval of Water Use and the Levying of Management Charge on Water Resources.

The ordinance, signed by Premier Wen Jiabao on February 21, is aimed to better protect water resources in China.

It was adopted by the State Council on January 24 and will go into effect on April 15.

(Xinhua News Agency March 7, 2006)