<P> Chinese environmental activist and journalist Ma Jun warned in 2006 that China is facing a water crisis that includes water shortages , water pollution and a deterioration in water quality . Ma argued that 400 out of 600 cities in China are facing water shortages to varying degrees , including 30 out of the 32 largest cities . Furthermore , Ma argued , discharges of waste water have increased continually over the years 2001 - 2006 , and that 300 million peasants ' drinking water is not safe . He warned : `` In the north , due to the drying up of the surface water , the underground water has been over-extracted . The water shortage in the north could have drastic affects because almost half of China 's population lives on only 15 percent of its water . The situation is not sustainable . Though the south has abundant water , there is a lack of clean water due to serious water pollution . Even water - abundant deltas like the Yangtze and the Pearl River suffer from water shortages . '' </P>
<P> Chinese environmental activist and journalist Ma Jun warned in 2006 that China is facing a water crisis that includes water shortages , water pollution and a deterioration in water quality . Ma argued that 400 out of 600 cities in China are facing water shortages to varying degrees , including 30 out of the 32 largest cities . Furthermore , Ma argued , discharges of waste water have increased continually over the years 2001 - 2006 , and that 300 million peasants ' drinking water is not safe . He warned : `` In the north , due to the drying up of the surface water , the underground water has been over-extracted . The water shortage in the north could have drastic affects because almost half of China 's population lives on only 15 percent of its water . The situation is not sustainable . Though the south has abundant water , there is a lack of clean water due to serious water pollution . Even water - abundant deltas like the Yangtze and the Pearl River suffer from water shortages . '' </P>
of 600 large cities in china about how many are experiencing a water shortage
of 600 large cities in china about how many are experiencing a water shortage
400
400