Fujian province will supply fresh water to the island of Kinmen, Taiwan by the end of 2016, China Daily reports on July 20.

A Fujian trade delegation led by Governor Su Shulin visited Kinmen and signed a water supply agreement.

Fujian Governor Su Shulin (R) receives a warm welcome by Kinmen residents at Kinmen Port on July 20. [Photo/China Daily]

According to the agreement, a 27.46-kilometer-long pipeline will be laid between the Shanmei Reservoir in Jinjiang, Fujian and Tienpu Reservoir in Kinmen, of which about 15.8 km will be underwater. Some 34,000 tons of water will be supplied to the island each year.

Water prices in Kinmen will fall to less than 2 yuan ($0.32) per ton, even cheaper than in Hong Kong.

So far, the two sides have determined the water supply route and finished the feasibility study on the marine environment and seabed geology. The project will begin in October and the water supply test is expected to start by the end of next year.

Fujian and Kinmen sign a water supply agreement on July 20. [Photo/China Daily]

The agreement will be valid for 30 years.

Taiwan-administered Kinmen, only 2 km from Xiamen, is short of fresh water. Solving the chronic water shortage took two decades of effort from both sides of the Straits.

The water supply project sets a good example of close cross-Straits cooperation, said Su Shulin.

The water supply will begin in Jinjiang in Fujian, then flow to the city's Weitou village and from there to Tienpu Reservoir in Kinmen through an undersea pipe. [Photo/China Daily]