China will appoint local government heads as river chiefs across the nation to clean up and protect its water resources, said guidelines published by Chinese central authorities Sunday.

中共中央发布的意见指出，我国要在全国范围内任命当地政府领导为“河长”，以清理和保护各地水资源。

Much as mayors and county heads are responsible for their beats, river chiefs will be responsible for the management and protection of the watercourses, according to a document forwarded by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

中办和国办发布的文件指出，就像市长和县长要为自己所管辖的地区负责一样，河长也要为当地河道的管理和保护负责。

“河长”（river chief）就是河流管护的第一责任人。在全面推广的河长制责任体系中，各地将建立省、市、县、乡四级河长体系（government officials will be hired as river chiefs at provincial, city, county and township levels）；各省（自治区、直辖市）设立总河长，由党委或政府主要负责同志担任（heads of provincial regions will be general chiefs that are responsible for all rivers and lakes in the region）。