Running clean and clear, the 15.3 kilometer-long river surrounding Suzhou has surprised locals for the first time in years.

　　The city has long been plagued by water pollution. But known as the Oriental Venice, it is finding effective ways to clean its waterways, said Yang Weize, the city's mayor.

　　With Suzhou hosting the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee in June, the city wants to spruce things up and make a good impression. Reducing water pollution has therefore been a major priority.

　　Yang said most of Suzhou's waterways have been polluted by waste water, which runs directly into rivers and lakes.

　　However, the Suzhou government has launched a massive program to lay drain pipes underground.

　　"Hopefully, in two to three years, all the waste water will go through these pipes into the sewage plant and be treated properly before running into the water."

　　Although comparable to Italy's famous canal city, Yang said they are indeed different. Venice is a coastal city while Suzhou has had almost no water flow in the past decade.

　　To increase flow, which helps clean waterways, the government invested 6 billion yuan (US$720 million) to divert water from the Yangtze River.

　　The project is working.

　　The river surrounding the city was cleaned up last year, and people now enjoy taking a stroll after dinner.

　　Suzhou is known for its classical gardens, and nine have been conferred "World Cultural Heritage" status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

　　Xu Wentao, director of the Suzhou Gardens Bureau, said that through biochemical measures, all the rivers and lakes in the gardens have become clear, and tourists can see fish swimming.

　　Suzhou will also relocate some residents to suburban areas as part of its ongoing efforts to deal with water pollution.

　　(Xinhua)