STORY: Int'l experts laud China's achievements in water management
DATELINE: Sept. 13, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:52
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the 18th World Water Congress in Beijing
2. various of rivers and lakes in China
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BASTIAAN VAN DE BERG, Managing Director International Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KIAAS GROEN, Director Knowledge and Innovation, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): PHILIPPE GOURBESVILLE, President of International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research

STORYLINE:

The 18th World Water Congress is underway in Beijing, with the event themed "Water for All: Harmony between Humans and Nature."

International experts attending the congress have commended China for its significant achievements in water resources management, emphasizing the country's promising trajectory in restoring its natural water environment and developing water resources. 
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): BASTIAAN VAN DE BERG, Managing Director International Affairs, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands
"I think it's very impressive what the Chinese have done in their water infrastructure. There has been huge development as regards the water infrastructure. It's on a vast scale. When I look at the Chinese infrastructure, it's very impressive, I must say."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): KIAAS GROEN, Director Knowledge and Innovation, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands
"Like every country, China developed its water management like we did in the Netherlands. I've seen that China developed very much in its river systems. And so they try to build a lot of infrastructure to manage the water and to see that the water is diverted in different routes all over the country. And I think in this way, China is moving on the good path."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): PHILIPPE GOURBESVILLE, President of International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research
"I think China has achieved already tremendous work regarding water resources management. There are many initiatives that have been taken in China over the past years. During (the past) two decades, it was a priority to establish infrastructures. Right now, we have seen a tremendous effort for trying to restore rivers, to give new natural environment back to the rivers.
Fishes, birds and also leisure activities are coming back around the rivers in China, and this is very positive. So I think it's one of the very general trends of China right now to redevelop high-quality natural environment."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)