The Tianbao Weir, one of the newly awarded projects, is located in Fujian province. With a history of over 1,200 years, the weir is the oldest extant water project specifically aimed at barring saltwater and storing freshwater.[Photo/Xinhua]

Established in 1950, the ICID is an international organization aimed at boosting scientific and technological exchange on irrigation, drainage and flood control.

The WHIS award, set up by the ICID in 2014, aims to protect and promote irrigation projects of historical value and their scientific experience. So far, 105 ancient irrigation projects around the world have been enlisted.

Chen Mingzhong, an official with the ministry, said the ancient irrigation projects are treasures of China's water-culture development, as well as being of great value to the development of irrigation agriculture in China.