China is launching a widespread campaign to ensure safe drinking water for the country's millions of rural residents currently suffering from water shortages and the lack of safe drinking water.

The Chinese news service Xinhuanet reported that the country will increase water supply construction projects and further popularize the use of tap water in rural areas between 2006 and 2010.

Currently, over 300 million people in rural areas do not have access to qualified drinking water. According to Xinhuanet, China aims to provide safe drinking water to all rural people by 2020.

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