Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday stressed saving and protecting water resources in building the South-to-North Water Diversion Project into a quality system, following the requirements of accelerating building a resources-efficient and environmentally-friendly society.

Saving and protecting water resources is the core in building the project, Li said, while chairing a meeting of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Construction Commission of the State Council.

China's northern regions suffer serious water shortages and the project is a strategic way to optimize the deployment of water resources, he said, adding that both diverted and local water is the same and should be used in a rational and economical way.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu participated in the meeting and affirmed the project's achievements and benefits. Hui also stressed the coordination of the project construction and relocation of the displaced residents.

The project has entered a key phase with intensive investment and quality control and production safety monitoring becoming increasingly imperative, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

Further, pollution treatment and environmental protection are crucial to the project, according to the statement.

The project broke ground at the end of 2002. Parts of the project have been finished and are in service.

A section of the middle route, linking Beijing and Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province, has transferred 775 million cubic meters of water to Beijing, effectively relieving water shortages in the national capital.

Also, some eastern sections have played a positive role in flood control and drought relief, according to the statement.