BEIJING - Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli on Monday ordered strict enforcement of quality standards as well as ecological construction for the long-term good during the building of China's south-to-north water diversion project.

The project, one of the country's largest infrastructure schemes, is designed to take water from the south to drought-prone areas in the north, including Beijing. Water will flow northward via three routes -- eastern, middle and western.

Zhang said the construction has been running smoothly since it kicked off in 2002, with efforts to treat pollution and protect water sources carried out in an orderly fashion, according to a State Council statement issued after a meeting of the project's construction committee.

The resettlement of affected residents along the water routes has also finished, added Zhang, who heads the committee.

With the first-stage construction for eastern and middle routes close to completion, greater efforts should be made to improve project construction and management, according to Zhang.

He also said that construction of the main project as well supporting projects of the middle route should be accelerated.

Arrangements must be made for the long-term livelihoods of relocated residents and strict management of funds should be ensured, he said.

The vice premier stressed that the project's success depends on quality, environmental protection and safety.

He also called for comprehensive water treatment and the construction of ecological zones along the routes, as well as firmer implementation of ecological compensation and strengthened water quality monitoring.

A long-term mechanism to curb pollution and guarantee water quality should be built, Zhang added.

Vice premier Wang Yang also attended the meeting, emphasizing water conservation during the process of water diversion.