STORY: China's mega water diversion project injects vitality into river in N China
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Nov. 13, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:54
LOCATION: SHIJIAZHUANG, China
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST: 
1. STANDUP (English): JIA QIAN, Special correspondent of Changjiang Water Resources Commission
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MA ZHIGUANG, Deputy director of Shijiazhuang Management Office of China South-to-North Water Diversion Group Middle Route Co., Ltd.
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CAI JIAYI, Hutuo River Ecological Engineering Operation and Maintenance Service Center
4. various of Hutuo River

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): JIA QIAN, Special correspondent of Changjiang Water Resources Commission
"Hello, I am in Shijiazhuang City, capital of north China's Hebei Province.
Behind me is the beautiful Hutuo River, which is deeply loved by local residents and tourists.
This river had been dried for a long time, but it has regained its vitality thanks to the ecological water replenishment carried out after the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project was put into operation."

Since the late 1970s, parts of Hutuo River have dried up for many years due to the severe drought in northern China and the sharp increase in urban and rural water consumption.
   
In 2019, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project started ecological water replenishment for the Hutuo River.
   
Up to November 2024, 1.2 billion cubic meters of water have been diverted to Hutuo River.
   
With various ecological water replenishment and restoration projects carried out by Shijiazhuang City, the ecological water area of Hutuo River has exceeded 2,900 hectares.
   
The river has become a popular place for the residents and tourists to relax.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MA ZHIGUANG, Deputy director of Shijiazhuang Management Office of China South-to-North Water Diversion Group Middle Route Co., Ltd.
"Over the past decade, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has provided water for production and living to cities along the route.
Meanwhile, we took full advantage of the wet season of the Danjiangkou Reservoir to conduct ecological water replenishment for cities along the route, which has effectively restored the ecological environment of rivers and lakes, and brought new vitality to Shijiazhuang's mother river, the Hutuo River."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CAI JIAYI, Hutuo River Ecological Engineering Operation and Maintenance Service Center
"The Yingxiu Mountain in front of us used to be severely affected by garbage. After consistent environmental protection and restoration, especially with the help of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project which provides sufficient water for the Hutuo River, we are more confident in the sustainable and healthy development of the river in the long run."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Shijiazhuang, China.
(XHTV)