The Ministry of Water Resources says China aims to cut water consumption by 20 percent, for an extra 10,000 yuan in its gross domestic product (GDP) by 2010.

Statistics from the ministry show that in 2004 China used 399 cubic meters of water to generate 10,000 yuan of GDP, four times the world average and eight times the spending of developed countries like the United States.

Officials from the ministry say inefficient water usage is due mainly to the low rate of recycling water for industrial use. The rate at which water is being reused equals only the level achieved by developed countries in the 1980s.

Vice minister of the ministry, Hu Siyi, said China will set up 100 pilot sites across the country to promote water conservation. Meanwhile, the country will set a quota for water consumption based on the situation of different regions, industries and departments.

Xinhua News Agency reported that with the largest population in the world, China and its 1.3 billion people face water shortages as per capita water resources are only 2,200 cubic meters, 31 percent the world's average.

Currently, about 400 out of China's 660 cities lack water, with 136 having reported severe water shortages.

(CRIENGLISH.com February 21, 2007)