国内英语新闻:Chinese Vice Premier calls for intensified anti-drought efforts

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu on Friday urged local governments to step up efforts in protecting agricultural production as winter wheat growing regions in the north of the country have been suffering due to the prolonged drought.

Hui warned that the drought could cause great harm to agricultural production.

Rainfall in north China, including provinces of Shanxi, Hebei and Shandong, has decreased 20 to 90 percent from the average rain in the same period since October last year.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (C) speaks at a meeting on anti-drought and disaster reduction, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 21, 2011. Hui Liangyu on Friday urged local governments to step up efforts in protecting agricultural production as winter wheat growing regions in the north of the country have been suffering due to the prolonged drought.

Hui urged local departments to improve meteorological monitoring and analysis of the drought, and provide training and services to farmers in order to reduce losses brought about by scarce rain.

He also called on local governments to step up construction of more water conservancy projects to better cope with dry weather.

Meanwhile, the drought in the north is compared with the intensive icy rain and snow in south and southwest China. A lingering cold spell has been wrecking havoc in these regions, disrupting vegetable production, transportation, and supplies of daily necessities.

Hui said the central government would also beef up support in helping these affected regions resume agricultural production as soon as possible.