The chinese water management system
Allana Camini Moreira de Souza and Dannyele Collares Santos
Abstract: This article analyzes the management of water resources established by the Chinese government to understand its behavior in the face of environmental changes and the impact of its policies on the management of river basins. The aim is to highlight the challenges faced, the political strategies adopted by the Chinese government, and their impact on the environment and society.
The management of transboundary water resources plays a crucial role in economic, social, and environmental development (GWP, 2015). This issue is becoming increasingly relevant internationally, especially in regions with dense populations and rapidly growing economies like China. Although China is one of the five largest countries in the world, with a vast territory and the second most populous, it has water shortages, affecting around 40 million urban residents (HE; HARDEN; LIU, 2020). This water scarcity is especially evident in North China, a region that shows significant disparities about the South (SHEN, 2021).
Despite covering 64% of the country and being home to 46% of the Chinese population, the north has only 19% of the available water resources (MWR, 2023). On the other hand, in the South, where water resources are more abundant, the resident population is approximately 53.6%. It is estimated that more than 80% of per capita water resources (3,481 m 3) are concentrated in this region, representing a significant difference in water availability compared to the North (HE; HARDEN; LIU, 2020).
In addition, water pollution from industrial, agricultural, and urban activities threatens the quality of available water and public health. The degradation of aquatic ecosystems due to pollution and overexploitation is also a concern, affecting water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
Finally, climate change exacerbates these problems by altering precipitation patterns and increasing extreme weather events such as droughts and floods (GWP, 2015). These factors directly affect the functions of water ecosystems in river basins, with consequences for water supply, protection against erosion, purification, energy generation, and other functions of aquatic ecosystems in river basins (ZHANG; JIN; YU, 2018).
Despite these challenges, China intends — like other countries — to evaluate the institutional foundations, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability of the water markets within its territories (HE; HARDEN; LIU, 2020). In this context, to reduce water problems, water resource management focuses on water conservation strategy, mainly on the construction and operation of conservation projects, river and lake management, and flood or drought prevention (MWR, 2023).
The country’s central instrument for governing water resources is the Water Law of the People’s Republic of China, whose system integrates management by river basins and administrative regions (MWR, 2015). This law aims to promote rational management, conservation, prevention of water-related disasters, and sustainable use to meet the country’s economic and social needs (FAO, 2023).
The structure of water resource management includes various instruments, such as long-term supply and demand planning, resource allocation, abstraction permits, taxation, monitoring, functional zoning, pollutant control, abstraction, and groundwater management. These interrelated instruments form a broad water management structure in the country. The aim is to improve the effective management of water resources, from distribution to the regulation of water use, as well as environmental protection and pollution control (SHEN, 2021).
In 2011, China’s State Council, the executive body of the central government, established the country’s water management objectives. These include creating a system that optimizes the distribution and efficiency of water resources, promotes the health of rivers and lakes, reduces the impacts of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, and promotes scientific advancement and water governance. Priorities include municipal water supply, implementing integrated water resources management, maintaining harmony between people and water, ensuring government leadership, and promoting reforms and innovations (HE; HARDEN; LIU, 2020).
Also, in 2011, the State Council of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China implemented the “Three Red Lines” strategy. The main objectives of this strategy were to control the use of water, improve its efficiency, and limit the discharge of sewage. For the next twenty years, the three red lines represent the need to control water supply, use, and pollution (HASSAN SHAH et al., 2022).
China has also developed some institutional reforms, such as establishing Water Resources Management Authorities in different regions, aiming for more effective coordination in water management. Water conservation policies have been implemented, encouraging sustainable practices and reducing waste. Significant investments have been directed toward developing water infrastructure, such as dams and distribution systems, to improve water use efficiency (ZHANG; JIN; YU, 2018).
In 2016, China launched its National Water Rights Exchange platform to facilitate water exchange through a market system, encouraging water-saving practices nationwide. Each user receives a monthly water allocation and can sell the surplus saved to other users. Those who need more water than their quota must purchase it from other users in the same river basin. In addition, China has implemented national programs to deal with non-point source pollution, including soil and water conservation, along with nutrient management programs that involve applying fertilizers and manure according to soil characteristics and crop needs (HE; HARDEN; LIU, 2020).
These initiatives, which reflect China’s efforts to manage water resources, are already generating significant results for the country. The “three red lines”, which set out fundamental criteria for controlling total water use, have shown improvements in more efficient and sustainable water resource management — the fruit of awareness-raising and monitoring water resources (GWP, 2020). As reported in the Announcement on the Results of the Performance Evaluation of the Implementation of the Strict Water Resources Management System in 2021, the total water consumption in 31 Chinese provinces in 2021 was 592.02 billion m³, representing a reduction of 5.3% compared to 2020 (MWR, 2023).
In addition, to achieve the targets and indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals regarding water use, China has been demonstrating results in water security and in solving water quality problems for its population. These policies related to the conservation, protection, and restoration of water-related ecosystems are also reflected in the mitigation of the impacts caused by climate change (MWR, 2023).
In short, it is understood that in the face of adversity caused by climate change and water scarcity, the People’s Republic of China has made great efforts to maintain a balanced management of water resources within its borders. This dedication is demonstrated through the implementation of policies that involve collaboration between organizations specializing in the development of water management strategies and those developing a new environmental policy agenda. These initiatives highlight the country’s emphasis on water conservation and responsible management, underlining its relevance to long-term environmental and socio-economic sustainability.
Despite progress in water resources policies, several aspects must be improved to ensure more effective and sustainable resource management. Integrated river basin management needs to be reinforced, and enforcement and compliance with policies in line with regulations must be strengthened. Such measures are vital to maintaining water resource management and ensuring longterm sustainability (MWR, 2023). However, it is essential to consider that China has sought to implement policies and develop innovative strategies to address emerging water resource management challenges.
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About the Authors
Allana Camini Moreira de Souza: Mestre e Doutoranda em Relações Internacionais pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais.
Dannyele Collares Santos: Graduanda em Relações Internacionais pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais.
