China on Wednesday will begin renovating the 2,250-year-old Dujiangyan irrigation system in southwest China's Sichuan Province, at a cost of 30 million yuan (US$3.6 million).
"The inner canal of the irrigation system is 10 years old and filled with silt," said Peng Shuming, director of the Administrative Bureau of the Dujiangyan irrigation system. "The water supply facilities along the canal are also in need of upgrading."
The water supply for irrigation, industrial purposes and urban living will not be affected by the renovation, said Peng. Tourists are invited to observe the entire process.
The Dujiangyan irrigation system is the world's oldest functioning irrigation project. Currently, it irrigates some 667,000 hectares of farmland and has been listed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
(Xinhua News Agency November 12, 2002)
