US$7.76 bln invested on reservoir reinforcement
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China spent 51.22 billion yuan (7.76 billion U.S. dollars) to reinforce 9,400 dangerous and aging reservoirs throughout the nation during the past five years, the Ministry of Water Resources announced Sunday.
Sun Jichang, an official with the ministry, said the results of the country's efforts are evident, as reservoirs' flood control capacities increased by 7.61 billion cubic meters and their overall capacity rose by 17.63 billion cubic meters.
The reinforcement program now protects 363 million people and 353 million mu (23.53 million hectares) of farmland against flooding by reservoirs bursting.
Further, the program expanded the country's irrigated areas by 165 million mu and added 2.53 billion kilowatt hours of new electricity generating capacity over the past five years, Sun said.
China's reinforcement efforts have ensured its water, grain and ecological security, Sun added.
