The State Council, China's Cabinet, has approved flood control
plans for Haihe River, Taihu Lake, Liaohe River and Songhua
River.
The move is of significance for improving major water systems'
flood control capabilities, perfecting cities' flood control
systems and ensuring safety of people and properties, Jiao Yong,
vice water resources minister, said on Wednesday.
Haihe River basin is adjacent to China's capital. Taihu Lake
valley, home to clusters of cities, is populous and economically
developed and is also prone to flooding. Liaohe and Songhua river
valleys are in important manufacturing and grain production
bases.
According to the plans, which were approved on February 16, by
2015, the four water systems will withstand floods that occur every
50 years. Major sections of the Taihu Lake valley and Liaohe River
will withstand floods that occur every 100 years. The standards for
such large cities as Harbin and Changchun in the Songhua River
valley should be 200 years.
From 1998 when China suffered severe floods to 2006, 620.7
billion yuan (86.9 billion U.S. dollars) were pumped into flood
control projects nationwide, including 285.5 billion yuan allocated
by the central government.
By the end of 2006, China had built 85,800 reservoirs and
280,800 kilometers of dams and dikes, which protected 550 million
people and 45 million hectares of farmland.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)