BEIJING — China stepped up financial efforts to improve the water environment for key water basins in 25 regions across the country, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

The country has allocated a total of 3.5 billion yuan (about $493 million) from this year's central budget in a bid to aid project construction for water environment treatment, the top economic planner said.

This bach of investment will be focused on water environment projects in 16 water basins, including the Yellow River basin and Taihu Lake, and pilot regions for sustainable development.

Due to mounting pressure from epidemic prevention and control measures, more support was given to six central provinces, including Hubei and Henan, with 1.13 billion yuan allocated to these regions, accounting for 31.8 percent of the total volume.

The commission expected the funds to further drive over 30 billion yuan of local investment, which will be used on eligible projects for drinking water sources conservation and sewage and garbage treatment.