国内英语新闻:Premier underlines water conservancy projects

BEIJING, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang has ordered that work on agriculture-related water projects and major water conservation projects must be intensified.

In an instruction issued to a conference, held Wednesday, Li said the construction of farmland water conservation projects will improve agricultural productivity, raise farmers' incomes and help lift them out of poverty.

The country should improve water conservation infrastructure during the upcoming winter and spring in preparation for flood control and water safety, Li said.

During the process, the government should properly use fiscal funds and attract more private investment, he added.

Vice Premier Wang Yang said at the meeting that the country should prioritize water- and disaster-damaged renovation projects and step up the construction of large and medium-sized irrigation and drainage projects.

Special emphases will be given to agricultural water-saving facilities and water-saving irrigation processes for farmland, according to Wang, who also stressed the management and protection of water conservation projects.