China's National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature, began discussing a report on water pollution prevention and control on Wednesday.

Zhou Shengxian, the Environmental Protection Minister, delivered the report at a plenary session of NPC Standing Committee.

China has paid increasing attention to ecological challenges and environmental problems as it seeks to balance its high economic growth rate with a rational use of natural resources and pollution control.

Zhou is to detail the country's efforts in curbing drinking water contamination and achievements in tackling water pollution in major rivers and rural areas.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2008)