Uneven water resources and growing population is a major problem in China. National parliamentarians seminar in China discusses water resources and population
Asian Forum newsletter official organ of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development 1997(Spec No): 1
1997
PMID: 12292778 Document Number: 208058
Water resources and population are two of the most important components of sustainable development. Yet, in China, the water supply is unstable. For China to continue developing, water resources must become stable. Every 2 years, a major flood or drought occurs. There is an abundant amount of food in the south, while food is scarce in the north. Over 85% of China's water in the Yantze River Valley, north, northeast, and northwest, suffers acute shortage. This was the view of the papers presented at the first national Parliamentarians' seminar on water resources and population, which was organized by the education, science, culture, and public health committee (members of AFPPD) of the National People's Congress at the City Hotel, Beijing, on September 9-10, 1997. AFPPD supported the parliamentarians' seminar, which was attended by 35 members of the National People's Congress and the State People's Congress. This is the first time that such a seminar was organized. The seminar was exceptionally frank and very informal. The seminar conveyed the seriousness of the water situation in China and also expressed concern about the growing population.