Information, such as possible flooding during the rainy season is collected by the MWR, and is to be available to the public, a leading flood-control official announced at the weekend at a press conference in Beijing.

E Jingping, director of the Beijing-based State Office of Flood-Control and Drought Prevention, told the media that the hydrological information the ministry is to offer the public, will range from a river's water level to rainfall and water quality.

Information on water has become more popular than ever before in China, with the public's rising awareness of ecosystems, water experts say. Access to hydrological information is a significant step towards meeting the needs of the development of a modern society, E said.

E and other water officials said that they hope such hydrological information can play an increasing role in promoting China's national economy and social progress.

They made it clear that "the opening of China's hydrological information will enable citizens and researchers to make full use of such information.

While using hydrological information, E and other water officials have urged local authorities and citizens to be more concerned about the development of China's hydrological undertakings.

To collect hydrological information, more than 50,000 technicians and hydrologists have been working in over 30,000 hydrological stations throughout the country, according to a survey released by the MWR.

Most of the stations are built in deep mountains or remote areas along rivers and lakes, with harsh working and living conditions due to a lack of funding.

Last year, only 300 million yuan (US$362,000) was earmarked for such stations to upgrade their hydrological observation facilities, most of which were built in the 1950s or 1960s and face severe ageing, sources with the ministry said.

The ministry has urged local governments to intensify the protection of hydrological infrastructures and to prevent them from being destroyed in the years ahead as the economy rapidly develops.

The ministry has issued hydrological information for the public through two of its Internet sites: www.mwr.gov.cn and www.chinawater.net.cn . Both of these sites have been active since June 1.

All ministry-run hydrological agencies are still in the process of promoting hydrological information to the public.

(China Daily 10/22/2001)