More than 7,800 water conservancy projects are being implemented at an accelerated pace in China with the support of additional bonds issued last year, laying a solid foundation for agricultural production and flood and drought prevention next year.
The Chinese central government issued 1 trillion yuan (about 140.42 billion U.S. dollars) in additional government bonds last year to support the rebuilding of disaster-hit areas and raise the country's disaster relief capabilities, with a focus on financing water conservancy projects.
Over 100 billion yuan (about 14.04 billion U.S. dollars) has been invested in water conservancy projects in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, which was hit hard by flooding last year. This accounts for one quarter of the investment for all water conservancy projects nationwide financed by additional treasury bonds.
"China is stepping up implementation of water conservancy projects across the country, with a total of 410.94 billion yuan (around 57.71 billion U.S. dollars) being invested in more than 7,800 projects financed by additional government bonds. Over 15 billion yuan (around 2.1 billion U.S. dollars) has been invested in Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, Sichuan and other provinces in the country," said Yuan Hao, an official from the Ministry of Water Resources.
China steps up implementation of water conservancy projects backed by additional bonds
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Tongji University in Shanghai on Wednesday, before attending the opening ceremony of the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the city on Thursday.
Stocker is paying an official visit to China until Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
While delivering a speech at the Tongji University, he put scientific research and higher education cooperation in the spotlight.
"Austria and China will build the future together, bringing mutual benefits to both countries. This requires courage, confidence and long-term commitment," said the Austrian chancellor, noting that Austria will be a trustworthy partner to China in opening a new chapter for cooperation.
At a panel discussion, participants from both countries discussed the future of science and engineering.
Recent exchanges between the Tongji University and Austrian universities focused on joint research, student mobility and the growing role of artificial intelligence in engineering education.
"This year marks the 55th anniversary of [the establishment of] diplomatic ties between China and Austria, and 100 years [the 100th year] since Professor Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University. These two milestones invite us to look back at history. The longstanding friendship between Chinese and Austrian engineers is a vivid example of China's openness to the world," said Wan Gang, honorary president of the China Association for Science and Technology.
In 1926, Hans List began teaching at the Tongji University, helping train China's first generation of internal combustion engine specialists. A century later, his family donated historical archives and a statue of him to the university.
There has been close cooperation between the Tongji University and AVL List GmbH, which was founded by Hans List and is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for engineering, simulation, and testing in the automotive industry.
A century ago, Austria brought some of its most advanced engineering technologies to China. Today, the two countries are building on that legacy, strengthening their friendship and partnership, and driving a new wave of innovation together.
Austrian chancellor visits Tongji University in Shanghai
