China aims to reduce water usage by 69 billion cubic meters by 2010, according to the country's water conservation plan for the 2006-2010 period.

According to the plan, mapped out by the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministries of Water Resources and Construction, China hopes to cut water consumption per unit GDP by 20 percent compared with 2005.

The plan said that China would try to improve efficiency of water conservation by popularizing the use of water-saving facilities and technologies in agriculture, industry and everyday life.

With the largest population in the world of 1.3 billion, China is facing water shortages as per capita water resources are 2,200 cubic meters, only 31 percent of the world's average.

Currently, about 400 out of the 660 Chinese cities lack water and 136 have reported severe water shortages.

Instead of exploring water resources, China has begun to switch its focus to conservation, protection and proper distribution of water to ease water shortages and a possible water crisis amid its soaring economic growth.

In Beijing, a water conservation campaign has helped the city save 100 million cubic meters of water per year, enough for 10,000 three-member families for four years, but well below the amount required for long-term sustainability.

Source: Xinhua