The ministry reported that China's per capita water resources quota will be only 1,700 cubic meters, a generally acknowledged danger limit, by 2030, when its population reaches 1.6 billion.

China's gross water resources come to 2.81 trillion cubic meters. Calculations made based on population and acreage of arable land in 1997 show the country's per capita water resources quota is only 2,200 cubic meters, 25 percent of the world's average.

By 2030, water resources quota for per mu (15 mus equal to one hectare) of arable land will be 1,900 cubic meters, 80 percent of the world's average.

However, the fact is that China's water resources and arable land are not balanced between the northern and southern parts.

Statistics show that more than 80 percent of the country's water resources are distributed in the Yangtze River Valleys and areas to the south of the Yangtze. These areas account for 53.5 percent of the population of China and 35.2 percent of the nation' s total acreage of arable land.

Meanwhile, only 14.7 percent of the country's water resources are distributed in the vast areas to the north of the Yangtze, where the amount of arable land accounts for 59.2 percent of the national total, and the population makes up 44.4 percent of the total number.

The Yellow, Huaihe and Haihe river valleys in northern China face the most serious water shortages.

Zhang Jirao, vice-minister of water resources, said that China's major rivers all run from west to east and are separated by watersheds.

Zhang said building water diversion projects that cover different river valleys is important for adjusting water resources in the country and guaranteeing China's sustainable economic development and social progress.

(China Daily November 16, 2001)