March 22, 2009 marked the 17th World Water Day, and China's 22nd Water Campaign Week, with the theme of protecting and saving water resources.

China has to feed 21 percent of the world's population with 6 percent of the globe's total freshwater resources. In addition, the country has an uneven water distribution, with more water in the south and less in the north. And global climate change and economic development also bring new challenges. But China will continue its efforts in infrastructure and water-related systems in order to achieve sustainable development.

Vice minister of water resources, Hui Siyi, said, "Firstly, we will control the use of overall water resources. Secondly, we aim to strictly control used water discharge into the rivers. And thirdly, we will curb water waste, so as to prevent unnecessary water usage, and increase water usage efficiency."

(CCTV March 23, 2009)