The State Council has approved a water allocation plan for Yongding River, a main water source for Shanxi and Hebei provinces and Beijing and Tianjin municipalities.

According to the plan, the river should carry no less than 120 million cubic meters of water annually after flowing across Shanxi Province. The figure should be no less than 300 million cubic meters after crossing Hebei Province.

During low water season, the river should carry more than 65 million and 150 million cubic meters of water annually after flowing across Shanxi and Hebei provinces, respectively.

In extremely dry seasons, however, the annual figures should be no less than 30 million cubic meters and 60 million cubic meters, respectively.

Water distribution for Beijing and Tianjin had yet to be disclosed.

The plan also clarified measurement methods for water quantity in Shanxi and Hebei provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2008)