Central and local governments in China spent Rmb345.2bn on water conservation projects last year, according to Minister of Water Resources, Chen Lei.

The investments helped provide 20.5m people in drought-hit regions with access to drinking water and ensured safe drinking water for 64m rural residents, Mr Chen said.

Part of the investments also went toward strengthening reservoirs, farmland irrigation and water conservation infrastructure, reported Xinhua.

China has pledged to spend Rmb400bn in water conservation projects annually over the next decade.