Beijing will take more care in the treatment of polluted water this year, while continuing the task of air pollution prevention and control, a senior official said on Monday.

The national capital suffers both water shortages and pollution said vice mayor Ji Lin at an environment protection conference, stressing that the lower reaches of the surface water in the capital city is of poor quality.

A survey conducted last year showed that 56 of the 78 rivers and lakes, particularly those in the downtown areas, reported poor water quality that did not reach the national standards.

More measures will be imposed this year to improve the water quality, including compiling a plan for prevention and control of water pollution, publicizing regular water monitoring outcome and speeding up the construction of water treatment facilities, said Shi Hanmin, director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

Maintaining a blue sky has been another key target for the municipal government to produce a good environment for its residents and for the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games.

Beijing residents enjoyed 234 blue sky days last year, five days more than the previous year. The figure exceeded its objective of having 230 blue sky days, set at the beginning of 2005.

The municipal government has set a target of 238 blue sky days this year, with the expected drop in various air pollutants and increase in forested areas.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2006)