China mulls law revision to accelerate national water network construction

BEIJING -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday began reviewing a draft revision to the country's Water Law, with the latest draft incorporating provisions to speed up the development of a national water network.

The draft was submitted for its second reading to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

The previous draft revision was submitted to lawmakers in late April this year and was later released to solicit public opinion.

Following suggestions from lawmakers and local authorities, the draft adds provisions that the country will accelerate the development of the national water network with a focus on improving water allocation, flood control and ecological systems.

To better align with the country's Ecological and Environmental Code, which came into force in early August, the latest draft adds that efforts should be made to coordinate the governance of water resources, the water environment, water ecology and water-related disasters, and to build a modern industrial system compatible with the carrying capacity of water resources.

Furthermore, the draft adds requirements for coordinating water resources regulation with flood regulation, and for stepping up efforts to treat and restore rivers and lakes facing ecological degradation.

The legislative session runs from Tuesday to Friday this week.