China's Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC) received the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for its outstanding accomplishments in integrated river basin management on Tuesday evening.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is the highlight of the Singapore International Water Week, which is held here from June 28 to July 2. With its success in transforming China's second-longest river, the YRCC outshone 49 other nominees to become the third recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize.

Accepting the award on behalf of the YRCC, Li Guoying, Commissioner of the YRCC said, "The YRCC is deeply honored to receive the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for our efforts in revitalizing the Yellow River. We recognize that more can be done to enhance the ecosystem along a river that plays a vital role in China's economic development and holds an important position in the hearts of its people. This endorsement reaffirms our long-term commitment to nurturing and improving the quality of life along the river through sustainable river management strategies."

The YRCC was empowered by the Chinese central government in 1999 to manage and integrate water allocation in the entire Yellow River. YRCC's innovative policies and solutions have brought about widespread and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits. In just 10 years, the remarkable transformation of China 's second longest river by YRCC has secured water supply for over 100 million people, restored extensive areas of wetlands and biodiversity and protected some 90 million people living in the flood-prone areas of the Yellow River from devastating floods.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2010)