Premier Li Keqiang urged solid steps to push forward follow-up tasks in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in a science-based and orderly manner, backed by enhanced capacity in management and operation.

Premier Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks in an instruction issued at the inauguration ceremony of China South-to-North Water Diversion Group Co Ltd, held in Beijing on Oct 23.

He sent his congratulations on the establishment of the company, saying it is a significant move in better managing the running of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, improving the project system and optimizing China’s water resource allocation.

The company should follow the decisions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council and step up reforms and innovation, Premier Li said.

He also called for efforts to safeguard national water security and ecological resources, serve high-quality economic development and improve people’s livelihoods.

Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua addressed the ceremony, demanding improved allocation of water resources and acceleration of the national backbone water network consisting of four rivers along three water diversion routes, in order to better facilitate major national strategies.

Sustained safe operation should serve as its lifeblood, which involves safety in the project itself as well as in water quality and supply, Hu said.

Hu also stressed the importance of boosting the integrated benefits of the project, fully adopting the “water conservation first” policy and proactively supporting water usage for ecological restoration along with protection against floods and droughts.

State Councilor Wang Yong also attended the ceremony.