Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged local governments and central
government departments on Tuesday to go all out to secure water
supplies for people and cattle in regions suffering from severe
drought.
In droughts-hit areas irrigation facilities should
be brought into full play, said the premier, who is also member of
the Standing Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee Political Bureau.
He called on efficient use of water in a scientific
way and providing more services for farmers in the anti-drought
drive.
People should try hard to minimize losses caused by
the current droughts in some northern, southwestern and southern
areas, he said.
According to official figures, since April
lingering droughts have affected a total of 17.6 million hectares
of farmland across the country, up 21 percent compared with the
figure for the same period of last year.
Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu has urged local
governments and central departments to seriously implement the
instruction of the premier.
(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2006)