BEIJING — China has accelerated its construction of major water conservancy projects with investments in projects under construction exceeding 1 trillion yuan (about $155.3 billion), said the Ministry of Water Resources.

Of the 172 planned major water conservancy projects, 36 have been completed and brought into full play, including the eastern and middle route of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project, the ministry added.

The major projects mainly concern flood control and disaster reduction, the optimal allocation of water resources, water-saving irrigation, water ecological protection and restoration, and intelligent water conservancy.

Flood control storage is expected to increase by 9 billion cubic meters and the annual water supply capacity is expected to grow by 42 billion cubic meters, said the ministry.

This year, the ministry will continue to accelerate the construction of major water conservancy projects with high standards, it added.