Vice Minister of Water Resources Zhai Haohui says China will solve drinking water problems in some remote and poor rural areas one year ahead of schedule.

China had originally planned to solve the drinking water problem for over 50 million people by the end of 2005.

But vice minister Zhai Haohui says by the end of this year, China will be able to provide clean and safe drinking water to 5.6 million people, bringing to completion of the designed drinking water project.

Meanwhile China has also examined the quality of drinking water projects in rural areas to ensure that the water is safe to drink.

From 2000 to 2003, China spent over US$1 billion on improving the quality of drinking water in rural areas.

(CRI October 11, 2004)