Li focuses on water project

Vice-premier urges swift finish to landmark South-North diversion

Vice-Premier Li Keqiang urged authorities to ensure that the deadline is met to complete the South-North Water Diversion Project, the ambitious plan to optimize unbalanced water resources, to alleviate a worsening shortage facing arid northern regions.

"Drought and water shortages are severe restrictions on the country's social and economic development," Li said at a working conference of the project on Wednesday. "Especially in North China, where an ever-increasing drought has hit regions in recent years."