The Dongjiang-Shenzhen Water Supply Project has delivered more than 30 billion cubic meters of water to Hong Kong over the past six decades, playing a key role in ensuring the city's prosperity and stability, Vice-Minister of Water Resources Chen Min said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference, Chen said the project, which draws water from the Dongjiang River, symbolizes the Chinese mainland's steadfast support for Hong Kong. The river originates from Jiangxi province and flows to the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province.

The project has not only eliminated Hong Kong's water scarcity, but has also driven its rapid economic growth, he said. The city's annual water supply through the project has risen from 68 million cubic meters in the early 1960s to more than 2.4 billion cubic meters today, meeting about 80 percent of Hong Kong's water demand.

"This robust support has enabled Hong Kong's transition from a traditional manufacturing hub to an international financial, shipping and trading center, contributing to the prosperous cityscape seen today," he said.

Hong Kong's GDP has grown to more than 266 times higher than it was 60 years ago, Chen said, adding that the steady expansion of the water supply has provided a reliable foundation for economic prosperity.

The project originated in May 1963, when Hong Kong faced its worst drought since 1884, forcing authorities to ration fresh water to residents once every four days, according to the ministry. The 83-kilometer project was completed in just 11 months and began operations on March 1, 1965. Since then, it has undergone three expansions and one renovation to enhance capacity.

Huang Zhijian, Party chief of Guangdong's water resources department, said the province has taken several steps to improve water quality and strengthen emergency supply capabilities.

In the late 1990s, Guangdong built a bio-nitrification plant at the Shenzhen Reservoir, the final stage of the project. With a daily treatment capacity of 4 million cubic meters, it was the largest of its kind in China at that time, adding an extra layer of safety to Hong Kong's water supply, Huang said.

During the renovation from 2000 to 2003, the project transitioned from using natural watercourses and artificial channels to enclosed pipelines, further securing water safety, he said.

Huang also noted the role the Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation Project, which was completed and put into operation last year, has played in helping Hong Kong cope with emergencies.

"Drawing water from the Xijiang River, the project can serve as an emergency backup water source for Hong Kong, thereby offering enhanced water supply security with dual sources," he said.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn