A water diversion project across a desert in northwest China has been in operation for more than two decades, providing much-needed water to residents and safeguarding the local ecology.

In one section of the project, water is diverted from the Yellow River, China's second largest river, to Minqin, a county in Gansu Province that had long suffered severe water shortages.

Construction of the project began in 1995, and was completed in 2000.

The project was put into operation in March 2001.

The water diversion project is part of the Jingdian program. The program comprises several water conservancy projects, benefiting some 500,000 locals.