Rivers, lakes to be better protected

China will launch a targeted campaign to address the damaging or polluting of its rivers and lakes in the second half of this year, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

The campaign will consist of four operations, with two concerning illegal shorefront occupation and solid waste disposal along the Yangtze River, according to an online statement from the ministry.

A thorough inspection and rectification program will be completed before the end of this year to tackle solid waste along China's longest river, according to the ministry.

Waste dumping in reservoirs and illegal sand mining are also targeted by the action plan which will see river and lake chiefs strengthening law enforcement and resource management.

River and lake chiefs are responsible for the management and protection of water resources. There are now around 320,000 river chiefs at various levels nationwide.