Xiaoqing River is a provincial-level large river, which was built in the early Southern Song Dynasty (1130-137) and has a history of nearly 900 years. Xiaoqing River originated in Jinan City, with its main stream starting from Mulizha and flowing through Jinan, Zibo, Binzhou, Dongying, Weifang and Shouguang Yangjiaogou from west to east, with a total length of 237km and a controlled drainage area of 10336km2. It has the functions of Haihe River combined transport, farmland irrigation, aquaculture and so on. It is one of the five national defense war preparation rivers in China, an important drainage river in central Shandong and the lifeline of economic and social development in our province.

Xiaoqing River in our city is located in the northern urban area, which is the only river channel for flood control, waterlogging elimination and sewage discharge in our city. It flows through Huaiyin, Tianqiao, Licheng and Zhangqiu, with a total length of 70.5km and a drainage area of 2792km2. In the history of Xiaoqing River, the foreign exchange market has beautiful spring scenery, abundant products, smooth shipping and prosperous economy, which has made people on both sides of the strait widely benefit from lakes, mountains, boats, fish and salt.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the party and the state have attached great importance to the governance of Xiaoqing River. Provincial and municipal planning departments have repeatedly planned Xiaoqing River regulation, taking into account flood control, shipping, irrigation, pollution and environmental comprehensive management. However, due to the limitations of large investment and difficult project demolition, most of them have only stayed in the planning stage for many years, and only a few projects have been implemented.

The east route water conveyance project of South-to-North Water Transfer Project runs through our city, which provides opportunities for the comprehensive management of Xiaoqing River and the urban construction and development in cross-strait areas. Provincial and municipal leaders judged the situation and decided to do a good job in the comprehensive management, development and construction of Xiaoqing River in combination with the South-to-North Water Transfer Project. Since last year, the preliminary work of Xiaoqing River comprehensive management project has been highly valued by provincial and municipal leaders. In April, 2007, Yan, secretary of Jinan Municipal Party Committee, and Mayor successively listened to the comprehensive report of Xiaoqing River comprehensive management project, and made arrangements for related work.