Environment forum opens in Beijing

This year's Forum on Environment and Development is now underway in Beijing.

Water is the source of China's sustainable development in the 21st century.

The forum centers on pollution control in water basins, major industries and rural areas as well as drinking water safety.

Zhou Shengxian, Director of State Environment Protection Administration says "China's rivers and lakes are severely polluted. The water problem has harmed the health of residents and affected sustainable development of the economy and society. It's now time to resolve the issue of polluted water. We must do our best and take strict measures, by letting rivers and lakes recover."

This summer, a serious algae outbreak threatened water supply to millions of people around the lakes of Taihu, Chaohu and Dianchi.

Since then, environmental authorities have taken strong action against companies with high water consumption and high amounts of pollutants. And more water treatment companies have been set up.