The Chinese government launched a publicity campaign on saving water in urban areas Sunday in a bid to further ease the shortage in water resources.

The Tenth Urban Water-Saving Publicity Week, an annual event, will concentrate on arousing public awareness of the importance and imminence of saving water, Zhao Baojiang, Vice Minister of Construction, said at the launching ceremony of the event here Sunday morning.

Water supply is now insufficient in urban areas, especially in the country's northern part, although governments at various levels have strengthened management on use of water for the past years, Zhao said.

It is necessary to continue to readjust urban water prices, promote application of water-saving techniques and tools, reduce water pollution and speed up construction of water recycling facilities, Zhao said.

(People's Daily 05/13/2001)