China's State Council Tuesday approved in principle a set of regulations on licensing water taking and collection of water resource fees at an executive meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

According to the meeting, it is very necessary to draft regulations to strengthen management and protection of water resources and promote water conservancy and rational use of water resources.

The regulations will be promulgated by the State Council for enforcement after further revisions, according to the meeting.

Source: Xinhua