?Beijing-Shijiazhuang section [Photo from nsbd.gov.cn]

Jan 9, 2012: The tail water channelization project of the South-to-North Water Diversion Eastern Route Project in Xinyi city, Jiangsu province, was launched.

Feb 17, 2012: The controlling center for auxiliary projects of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in Henan province was founded.

Feb 28, 2012: The right hole of the Shanmen River Culvert, a part of the second section in Jiaozuo, Henan province, of the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project, was successfully cut through.

April 20, 2012: The reporting center of the Water Diversion Project was formally set up.

June 8, 2012: The East Main Canal Project, an auxiliary project of the Water Diversion Project in Beijing, started.

Oct 26, 2012: The regulating reservoir projects in Tuancheng Lake and Etown, auxiliary projects of the Water Diversion Project in Beijing, started.

Nov 6, 2012: The Water Quality Protection Center of the Middle Route Project was formally set up.

Nov 21, 2012: The Huangbizhuang Reservoir in Hebei began to discharge, marking the fourth time water was supplied to Beijing from the Beijing-Shijiazhuang section of the Middle Route Project.

November 2012: The quality of water diverted through the eastern main canals met the requirements.

Dec 31, 2012: The office of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Commission of the State Council formally declared that the one-year countdown had begun for the operation of the first-phase engineering of the East Route Project.

Dec 31, 2012: All the sewage outlets along the canal of the East Route Project were closed.

Dec 31, 2012: The construction cost of the Water Diversion Project reached a record high. 2012 saw a total investment of 65.29 billion yuan ($10.64 billion) in the project. During the whole year, the tasks of 225.86 million cubic meters of earthwork excavation, 166.38 million cubic meters of earthwork filling and 11.88 million cubic meters of concrete placement were completed.