The Ministry of Science and Technology's notice of projects included in National Key R&D Program of China in the field of the efficient development and utilization of water resources [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Shanxi University (SXU)'s Key Technology Research and Development and Demonstration of Taiyuan's Efficient Water Saving and Unconventional Water Resources Utilization Project recently gained national recognition, according to SXU officials.

They said it was included as a National Key R&D Program of China in the field of efficient development and utilization of water resources -- the fifth one to do so following the university's four projects previously included in the National Key R&D Program of China in 2016 and 2017.

The National Key R&D Program of China is a major public welfare research program. It concerns the national economy and people's livelihoods, key scientific issues and key technologies and products -- related to the core competitiveness of industry, overall independent innovation capacity and national security.

It provides support and guidance for the main areas of national socioeconomic development.

The newly recognized project was chaired by Li Jianfeng, a professor with the Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering at SXU, with total funding of 48.11 million yuan ($6.81 million), including 23.61 million yuan from the central government.

It was jointly organized together with other eight domestic top universities, institutes and companies such as Tsinghua University, the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences and Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co.

It was also supported by seven national research platforms including the State Key Laboratory of Basin Water Cycle Simulation and Regulation.

The project focuses on scientific research into the optimal allocation of water resources and the development and utilization of unconventional water resources such as rainwater, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater.

By promoting the application of scientific and technological achievements, the project aims to give Taiyuan city systematic technical solutions to efficiently use water resources and support technical equipment.

Officials said the successful application of the project as a National Key R&D Program of China showcased SXU's strength in undertaking major national projects.

The project will offer technical support to Taiyuan in the construction of a national innovative demonstration zone for the sustainable development and implementation of water conservation and water environment reconstruction.

Officials said that it will provide references for the efficient use of water resources in water-scarce cities, as well as advance ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.