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

Under the plan - mapped out by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Construction - China hopes to cut water consumption per unit gross domestic product by 20 percent from the 2005 figures.

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

The country's per-capita water resources stand at 2,200 cubic meters, only 31 percent of the world's average.

About 400 out of 660 cities in the country lack sufficient water and 136 have reported severe shortages.

Instead of seeking new water resources, the focus has shifted to conservation, protection, and proper distribution to ease shortages and a potential crisis.

In Beijing, a water conservation campaign has helped the city save 100 million cubic meters of water per year, enough for 120,000 people for one year, but well below the amount required for long-term sustainability.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)