WUHAN - The water quality of the Yangtze River has been improving, with more than 90 percent of the river now meeting the national standard for clean water, the Yangtze River commission said on Tuesday.

Of all rivers in the Yangtze River drainage area, sections meeting the standard of clean water has reached 77.4 percent of the total length, up from 66.7 percent in 2006, the commission said.

"Although the discharge of waster water has increased, the river is getting cleaner thanks to strict enforcement of discharge standards, "said Yang Yongde, deputy director of Yangtze River Water Resources Protection Bureau.

However, some lakes and reservoirs in this area remain polluted, according to the commission.