China's Ministry of Water Resources has reported significant progress in water management over the past decade, achieving stable water consumption during a period of sustained economic growth.
Data from the ministry shows that over the past decade, China maintained water consumption under 610 billion cubic meters annually, despite doubling its gross domestic product (GDP).
This period also saw a notable enhancement in flood and drought disaster prevention capabilities, alongside increased efficiency in water resource utilization, the ministry said.
"Over the past decade, China has significantly expanded its water supply capacity by approximately 200 billion cubic meters through new water conservancy projects, marking a threefold increase compared to the previous decade. This period has also seen the addition of approximately 87 million mu (equivalent to 5.8 million hectares) of irrigated farmland. Nationwide, the effective irrigated area for farmland now stands at 1.055 billion mu (over 70 million hectares), with rural tap water coverage reaching 90 percent," said Chen Min, vice minister of water resources, during a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
China is accelerating efforts to build a national water grid, focusing on projects such as the Middle Route Project of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and preparing for the Western and Eastern Route extensions.
Provincial-level water grid construction plans have been approved across the board, with 72 percent of city-level and 40 percent of county-level plans finalized.
Since the beginning of this year, China has prioritized the reconstruction and expansion of water conservancy infrastructure, significantly boosting investment and project implementation.
Investments in water projects from January to May exceeded last year's figures, with 26 provinces allocating funds exceeding 10 billion yuan (nearly 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) each.
Provinces and municipalities such as Hebei, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hubei, Beijing, Anhui, and Henan have invested over 40 billion yuan (over 5.5 billion U.S. dollars) each.
In support of these initiatives, an additional 147.6 billion yuan (over 20 billion U.S. dollars) from sovereign bond funds has been earmarked for water conservancy projects.
These projects have advanced infrastructure development and provided employment for nearly 1.3 million people in the construction sector, marking a 7.2 percent increase from the previous year, crucial for stabilizing national economic growth and employment.
High-quality water management key to support economic growth: authorities
A youth summer camp aimed to carry forward the spirit of the Flying Tigers and promote friendship and cultural exchanges between Chinese and American students was opened in Beijing on Wednesday.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China during World War II.
After over eight decades, the stories about the Flying Tigers have been passed down from generation to generation in both China and the United States, with mutual friendship continuing to flourish, and with new vitality.
The summer camp, officially known as the Chinese Bridge Flying Tigers Summer Camp for American Students, was organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education and the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation (SAAHF), and has attracted over 100 teachers and students from the United States and various regions of China.
Before the launching ceremony, the organizers, along with many Chinese students, prepared various Chinese folk activities and games for the overseas friends, such as trying traditional Chinese musical instruments, playing the Touhu or pitch-pot game, and experiencing paper-cutting techniques.
"I'm going to try the Chinese flute," said an American student.
"I pretty much enjoyed the pitch-pot game," said another American student.
Most of the students participating in the event were from friendly schools of the Flying Tigers, and some were even descendants of the Flying Tigers.
"Yes, he was in the Flying Tigers before I was born. He flew hundreds of mission. [I am expecting] to see a lot more history about the Flying Tigers, to have a lot more learning about it," said another summer camp student. "I think this is a wonderful moment to commemorate our solidarity with the students of the Flying Tigers summer camp and to strive for progress together," said Zhang Yiyuan, a Chinese student from central China's Hunan Province.
At the opening ceremony, Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the SAAHF, said that he hoped the campers can cherish and enjoy this journey, spend a fulfilling and meaningful time in China, and share the story of the Flying Tigers with more people.
Organizers said that they will launch five such youth summer camps in the next five years to deepen bilateral friendship and pass on the Flying Tigers spirit.
After the trip to Beijing, the campers will also go to southwest China's Yunnan Province, the birthplace of the Flying Tigers, to learn more about the stories of these war heroes, according to organizers.
Flying Tigers youth summer camp opens in Beijing
Flying Tigers youth summer camp opens in Beijing
