Seawater can save thirsty country

Key technology

Reverse osmosis technology and other areas of development vital for desalination have been mastered, Li said.

Osmosis technology pushes water under high pressure through fine membranes, filtering the salt.

Coupled with the distilling process of high-pressure steam and evaporators, this means that the technology is, in more ways than one, on tap.

The country has 16 seawater desalination plants with a daily capacity of more than 10,000 metric tons of fresh water, according to the NDRC.

"Although we have made great progress in technology, large-scale plants in China still depend on foreign technology," Li said.

Desalination is used in more than 150 countries to supply water to more than 200 million people.

The Tianjin Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization is strengthening international cooperation to raise China's domestic seawater desalination technology and boost exports, Li said.

There are concerns about the potential environmental effects of large-scale seawater desalination plants, especially wastewater discharges.

Li said the government should launch an environmental assessment before any major upgrade.