The number of rural Chinese residents who lack access to safe drinking water was reduced by 221 million from 2004 to 2010, according to Vice Minister Du Ying of the National Development and Reform Commission.

"The feat was accomplished after the country launched a government-led rural drinking water project, which attracted an investment of 109.3 billion yuan ($17.2 billion) from 2005 to 2010," Du said in a report to the bi-monthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, on June 27.

The Chinese Government will strive to solve the problems concerning drinking water safety for millions of rural residents in accordance with the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15) for the country's social and economic development.

By 2015, nearly 80 percent of the rural population will have access to safe drinking water through centralized water supply facilities, Du said.