BEIJING -- Wang Chen, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on Monday called for thorough law enforcement to protect water resources.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told a plenary meeting of the inspection group, tasked with examining the enforcement of the water pollution prevention and control law, that the country is still facing a serious situation in addressing water pollution.

From late March to June, four teams of lawmakers inspected the enforcement of the water pollution control law in eight provincial-level regions across the country.

Through the inspection, relevant authorities were pushed to more actively explore eco-friendly development models and public awareness was raised, Wang said, adding that more attention should be paid to raising the penalty on offenders, ensuring the safety of drinking water and the recovery of polluted waters in urban areas.

He urged the inspection group to come up with a comprehensive report of the inspection and properly exercise the NPC's supervisory duty.