截至今年3月，南水北调工程已累计向北方地区调水400多亿立方米。东线、中线一期主体工程建成通水以来，直接受益人口达1.2亿多人，供水到达40多个大中型城市，同时助力东线、中线沿线河湖生态修复。

As of March, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project had transferred over 40 billion cubic meters of water to the northern areas. More than 120 million people had directly benefited from the project since the first phase of its eastern and middle routes began supplying water. More than 40 big and medium-sized cities received water from the project, which has also helped ecological restoration of rivers and lakes along its eastern and middle routes.

进入新发展阶段、贯彻新发展理念、构建新发展格局，形成全国统一大市场和畅通的国内大循环，促进南北方协调发展，需要水资源的有力支撑。

Strong support of water resources is needed as the nation enters a new development stage, implements a new development philosophy, fosters a new development paradigm, endeavors to establish a national unified market and boost smooth domestic circulation, and promotes coordinated growth between northern and southern China.

——2021年5月14日，习近平在河南省南阳市主持召开推进南水北调后续工程高质量发展座谈会并发表重要讲话

南水北调工程是实现我国水资源优化配置、促进经济社会可持续发展、保障和改善民生的重大战略性基础设施。

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project is important strategic infrastructure to optimize water resources, boost sustainable economic and social development, and improve people's livelihoods.

——2020年11月12日至13日，习近平在江苏考察时强调