East China's Shandong province held a meeting on July 6 to underline the importance of water control and management efforts as well as call for local governments to increase efforts in combating floods and droughts this year.

The river chief system in the province aimed at protecting water bodies was highlighted at the meeting.

Shandong hosts a meeting on July 6 to underline water control and management efforts. [Photo/dzwww.com]

China's river chief system, in which government officials are assigned to protect waterways in their area, has been rolled out nationwide as part of a broad effort to prevent pollution.

Liu Jiayi, Party secretary of Shandong, said that the river chief system at five levels - province, city, county, township and village - has borne fruit in Shandong.

He pointed out that the anti-pollution efforts should be intensified to promote environmental protection and eco-civilization as well as facilitate the province's high-quality development.

Liu Jiayi, Party secretary of Shandong, delivers a speech at the meeting. [Photo/dzwww.com]

Liu added that the province has stepped up water conservation infrastructure construction to better cope with natural disasters.

The province has made great efforts to rebuild facilities and restore production after part of Shandong province was hit by Typhoon Lekima, one of the most serious flooding events in decades, in last August.  

Liu noted that China will confront a challenging flood control situation this rainy season as precipitation has been higher than normal.

"The flood control situation will be grim. We have to be prepared for major floods," said Liu.

He highlighted the need for heightened flood monitoring and early warning measuring as part of efforts for the prevention of damage from flooding and geological disasters.