The State Council, China's Cabinet, has approved flood control plans for Haihe River, Taihu Lake, Liaohe River and Songhua River.

The move is of significance for improving major water systems' flood control capabilities, perfecting cities' flood control systems and ensuring safety of people and properties, Jiao Yong, vice water resources minister, said on Wednesday.

Haihe River basin is adjacent to China's capital. Taihu Lake valley, home to clusters of cities, is populous and economically developed and is also prone to flooding. Liaohe and Songhua river valleys are in important manufacturing and grain production bases.

According to the plans, which were approved on February 16, by 2015, the four water systems will withstand floods that occur every 50 years. Major sections of the Taihu Lake valley and Liaohe River will withstand floods that occur every 100 years. The standards for such large cities as Harbin and Changchun in the Songhua River valley should be 200 years.

From 1998 when China suffered severe floods to 2006, 620.7 billion yuan (US$86.9 billion) were pumped into flood control projects nationwide, including 285.5 billion yuan allocated by the central government.

By the end of 2006, China had built 85,800 reservoirs and 280,800 kilometers of dams and dikes, which protected 550 million people and 45 million hectares of farmland.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)