The 26th World Water Day was celebrated with a walk in Beijing's Chaoyang Park Friday to highlight the importance of fresh water.

Organized by Xylem Inc and the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, as well as the China Women's Development Foundation, the Xylem Public Walk is in its fourth consecutive year. More than 180 participants were involved in the event.

"The world is facing unprecedented water challenges brought on by population growth, urbanization and a shrinking fresh water supply, which means that women and children, in China's remote and short-of-fresh-water places, spend up to six hours per day fetching water for their families," said Lv Shuping, president of Xylem China and North Asia.