Human beings the world over are facing an ever-increasing shortage of water resources and China is willing to make contributions to strengthening international co-operation in water-related affairs, an official said yesterday.

Addressing a national conference on China's co-operation in the field of water, Chen Lei, vice-minister of water resources, made it clear that, China, a country plagued by seasonal floods, droughts and water pollution, will play an increasing role in dealing with such problems.

The central government treats water as one of China's most significant strategic resources along with grain and oil and hopes to sustain its development, Chen said.

Chen is confident that China's economy will be facilitated with its entrance to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO membership has provided China with more opportunities for international co-operation in global water affairs.

China will seize the chance to introduce more advanced technologies, technics and managerial experience on the administration of water resources, while improving water supplies and the treatment of waste water.

To stay in line with WTO's rules, China will also reform its water management to further optimize, protect and save its existing resources, Chen promised.

For China, rapid economic growth will heavily depend on water-related affairs such as high standards of flood-control, water supply and the improvement of ecosystems.

The improvement of water conservation will not only push forward China's modernization but also ensure its security in irrigation and drainage infrastructures.

China will continue to absorb overseas funds for water projects, pollution and soil erosion control in the years ahead.

In the Ninth Five-Year Plan (1996-2000), the Ministry of Water Resources succeeded in using a record US$4.3 billion of overseas funds, including loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for key water-control works on the Yellow River and major irrigation zones in Northwest China.

During this period, inter-government co-operations between China and foreign countries also boomed in fields like river harnessing and flood-control.

(China Daily April 22, 2002)