China seeking to accelerate desalination plans

A blueprint for China's desalination planning for the next five years is being prepared by the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC). 

The official Xinhua agency on 24 June 2011 quoted Li Jing, deputy director of the Environment & Resources Department under the NDRC, as saying that the commission, together with 11 other departments, is working on guidelines to accelerate the development of the country's seawater desalination facilities. It is also creating a plan related to desalination patents. 

The policies will give preferential treatment to companies that independently develop desalination equipment, said the report.