Pollution control is the key to the success of China's gigantic south-to-north water diversion project, according to Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan.

Work on the water diversion project officially started at the end of 2002, consisting of three south-to-north canals with each running about 1,300 kilometers in eastern, central and western parts of the country.

After making an inspection tour of the eastern section, Zeng told a meeting on Tuesday that efforts to reduce pollution should be stepped up.

He demanded that construction on already approved sewage treatment plants alongside the eastern section be started before the end of this year.

Enterprises that destroy resources, pollute the environment, or fail to meet safe production requirements should be closed down, while new projects that could potentially pollute the environment should be banned altogether, he added.

Zeng acknowledged that the water diversion project is of great significance in alleviating the country's water shortage problems, improving the ecological environment in north China and promoting the coordinated development of the regional economy.

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2005)