China issues outline for national water network

China will strive to establish a national, integrated "water network" for water resource management by 2035, according to a document unveiled by the central authorities on Thursday.

Based on natural water bodies, the network will be a comprehensive system that combines water resource allocation, disaster mitigation, water ecology and environment conservation, the outline development plan for national water network construction said.

Jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, the country's cabinet, the document said the network will make full use of the country's facilities for diversion, drainage and storage of water, and will be managed via intelligent means.

The document said the country will accelerate the construction of the backbone of the network, which mainly consists of a national framework as well as regional elements.

In accordance with the needs of the country's long-term development strategy, the main structure will be gradually expanded and interconnected with regional branches so as to form an integrated national water network.