These two project formally began in December 2002 and will cost $24 billion, as noted above. When finished. they will constitute one of the most remarkable water transfer efforts in the world. They alone will not be sufficient to maintain adequate water supplies to the vital Beijing-Tianjin area. In addition, water prices must be raised and considerable investment in conservation and water treatment must be undertaken. Without this set of project, north China cannot possibly continue its present record of economic expansion. Indeed. China overall faces a rapidly rising environmental bill simply to sustain rapid economic growth.