Tourists look at water cascades generated by the Xiaolangdi Dam on the Yellow River in Jiyuan, central China's Henan Province, July 5, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua/Miao Qiunao)

Beijing (People's Daily) - To date, the central authorities have approved 134 out of the 172 major water conservation projects decided upon in 2014, of which 132 have commenced, and 23 completed, China’s Ministry of Water Resources announced on Dec. 6.

Of the 132 projects that have started construction, 75 percent are in central and western regions and 56 percent are in poverty-stricken areas, said Wang Annan, chief planner of the ministry, at a news conference of the State Council Information Office.

The investment in the ongoing construction of water conservation projects exceeds 1 trillion yuan ($145 billion), Wang said.

Key water conservancy projects can prevent and control flood and drought, provide water resources, and bring ecological benefits, he added. All projects have played an important role in accelerating regional development and poverty alleviation

Wang introduced that the first phases of the middle and eastern routes of the South-to-North Water Diversion project have transferred 22 billion cubic meters of water, providing adequate and reliable water for North China. 

Xiaolangdi Dam, together with reservoirs in the upper reach of the Yellow River, has protected the river from drying up for 18 years in a row, he added. 

In recent years, China’s annual investment in water conservation has been about 700 billion yuan ($101.8 billion), and the projects have increased farmers’ income and promoted employment and industrial restructuring, said Wan Shengwan, Director of Department of Water Project Construction Management.

(Compiled by Fang Tian)