China News Service, Beijing, April 21st. Title: Dongshen Water Supply Lifeline Nourishes Hong Kong's Prosperity

　　China News Agency reporter Lu Mei

　　Since the first shareholder river water was introduced to Hong Kong via Dongguan and Shenzhen in 1965, the Dongshen Water Supply Project has continuously supplied more than 22 billion cubic meters of water to Hong Kong.

This lifeline of "Let the mountains lower their heads and let the rivers flow backwards" has nourished the development and prosperity of the Pearl of the Orient for more than half a century.

　　In many respects, this large-scale water diversion project from the Mainland to Hong Kong can be regarded as a model.

　　In terms of design and construction, this project has high efficiency, high investment and high quality.

The central government allocated 38 million yuan (RMB, the same below) and invested tens of thousands of manpower. The construction started in 1964, and 83 kilometers of water supply channels were built in just one year, alleviating Hong Kong's urgent water shortage.

　　Since then, after several expansions and renovations, the project has the world's largest biological nitrification station to purify the water body, as well as closed dedicated water pipelines to achieve clean and sewage diversion, and maintain the water quality of the port that is superior to the national surface water quality of Class II.

The cumulative investment in the project exceeded 5.2 billion yuan, many of which created the world's best at that time, and won the Luban Award, the highest quality award in China's construction industry.

　　In terms of planning and management, this project emphasizes sentimentality, promises, and long-term consideration.

Historically, Hong Kong has faced severe water shortages, which has repeatedly caused residents to flee on a large scale.

In 1963, Hong Kong suffered another severe drought, and millions of Hong Kong residents faced water difficulties.

At the request of Hong Kong compatriots, Premier Zhou Enlai personally instructed that the Dongshen Water Supply Project came into being.

　　The water in Shau Kei is cold, and Aotou is hot.

In the absence of construction machinery and advanced technology, more than 10,000 builders are fighting on the front line day and night, devoting all their efforts and hard work, and even more people give their lives.

In the 56 years since the water supply, generations of builders and maintainers have guarded this water supply lifeline day and night. From water quantity, water quality to water safety, they have fulfilled their solemn promise to "protect Hong Kong's water well". This is a high sense of responsibility and mission. Sense, but also see the blood relationship between Guangdong and Hong Kong.

　　After solving the water shortage, Hong Kong was able to develop into a first-class international city. The reputation of the Pearl of the Orient spread all over the world, which proves that the prosperity of Hong Kong is inseparable from the support of the Mainland.

A water supply line carries the same care from the central government and the mainland for the livelihood and welfare of Hong Kong people, and has also become an emotional channel between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and between the mainland and Hong Kong.

　　The Dongshen Water Supply Project focuses on supplying Hong Kong and taking care of Guangdong, ensuring the economic take-off of the Pearl River Delta. In recent years, the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has continued to advance, and the huge economy needs adequate water resources protection. Today, a major water conservancy project deployed by the State Council-the Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation Project has been launched, which will provide strategic support for the development of the Greater Bay Area, and will also provide more solid impetus and broader horizons for the development of Hong Kong. The clean water from the Mainland will nourish Hong Kong's long-term prosperity. (Finish)