BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhuanet) -- China has published its first guideline on water-efficient technology to increase public awareness and guide the whole nation in saving water, an official said here Monday.

    To use water efficiently is the fundamental way to ease the shortage of water resources, said a spokesman of the State Development and Reform Commission.

    The guideline, which was jointly issued by five ministerial departments, sets the goal for the development of water-efficient technology by 2010.

    According to the guideline, China will strive for a slight increase in water use for industrial production and a zero growth in water use for agricultural purpose between 2005 and 2010.

    The spokesman said that normally China lacks 40 billion cubic meters of water a year and water shortage has been a main factor hindering the country's social and economic development.

    The country has a great potential to save water as water consumption by local industries is five to 10 times that of developed nations, while water efficiency rate is only 40 to 45 percent in farming. Enditem