Photo taken on Sept 2, 2023 shows the Datengxia water resources management facility in Southwest China. [Photo/Xinhua]

China saw investment for water resources management reach a new historical high in the first eight months of this year, said Li Guoying, minister of water resources, at a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office on Wednesday.

From January to August, the country managed to collect 985.6 billion yuan ($135 billion) of funds for such investment, and the amount of investment that has been made reached 736.1 billion yuan, Li said. Also, 23,600 new projects for water resources management were launched during that time.

"All three figures have reached record highs," the minister stressed.

Almost 2 million people were employed in the construction of projects for water resources management across the country this year. "These projects have offered solid support for the recovery of the country's economic operation," he noted.

According to the ministry, 977.6 billion yuan of funds was collected in the first eight months last year, and the investment made during the time stood at 703.6 billion yuan.