China is making waves in the infrastructure sector with a substantial investment in water conservancy projects. In the first eight months of 2024, the nation allocated a staggering 801.94 billion yuan ($114.23 billion) to these initiatives, marking a 10.7% increase compared to the previous year.
At a recent press conference in Beijing, Wang Bao'en, vice minister of water resources, highlighted the significant impact of these projects on employment. \"The construction of water conservancy infrastructure has been on a massive scale, creating nearly 2.1 million jobs in the first eight months alone,\" Wang stated. This represents a 6.9% growth in job creation year-on-year.
The investment boom is not confined to a single region. Five key provinces—Hebei, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Anhui—each invested over 40 billion yuan in the sector, underscoring the nationwide commitment to enhancing water management and infrastructure.
Government data reveals that a total of 42,000 water conservancy projects have been implemented across the country this year, a 14.1% increase from last year. Of these, 28,000 are newly initiated projects, reflecting an 18.7% rise. These projects are set to bolster not only the country's water management capabilities but also its economic resilience.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Water Resources plans to sustain the momentum in water conservancy infrastructure construction, especially following the main flood season. This ongoing effort is expected to continue driving job growth and supporting China's broader economic objectives.
Reference(s):
China's water conservancy projects create 2.1 million jobs in 2024
cgtn.com
