On Feb 1, Premier Li Keqiang visited the Zhongzhuang reservoir of Guyuan city in Ningxia Hui autonomous region, inspecting urban and rural drinking water safety projects.

Drinking water safety projects are not only livelihood projects but also development projects, which will promote local urbanization. Quality should be the first priority of project construction, he said.

Despite the cold weather, the Premier climbed onto the reservoir dam for inspection.

Due to water scarcity, Xihaigu area used to be a poverty-stricken region, but now the area stands at the forefront of poverty alleviation. Poverty should be reduced in Xihaigu area through drinking water projects, he said.

After construction, the reservoir will help solve the water shortage for 1.13 million people in the area, where water has always been scarce.