Dear colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,
Welcome to the China Special Session of the 18th World Water Congress for sharing of China’s practical experience in water governance and for consultation of solutions to global water issues. On behalf of the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China (MWR), I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the friends who have long cared for and supported the development of China’s water sector!
Due to extremely uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water resources plus frequent and repetitive occurrence of floods and droughts, China is among those countries in the world that feature the most complicated water regime, the hardest job in river training, and the most arduous task of water governance. The MWR effectively implements President Xi Jinping’s water governance concept of “prioritizing water conservation, seeking spatial equilibrium, implementing systematic governance and achieving government-market synergy”. For the overall purpose of comprehensively improving our national capability for safeguarding water security, we have promoted high-quality water-related development in China during the new stage through six implementation routes. First, improve the basin-wide system of flood control works. We make basin-specific efforts to scientifically arrange flood pathways, optimize the basin layout of flood control works, systematically plan the construction of water projects such as reservoirs, river channels, embankments, and flood storage and detention areas, enhance the functions of forecasting, early warning, drilling, and planning, and practice unified command and scheduling of water works in a basin. As a result, we successfully overcame a series of floods along major river basins and historically rare droughts, maximizing the safety of people’s lives and property, and minimizing the losses caused by floods and droughts. Second, implement the crucial national water network project. Appropriate efforts are in place to construct a water infrastructure network ahead of the time. We have optimized the layout, structure, functionality, and system integration of water infrastructure and focused on network connection, network replenishment and chain enhancement to build a national water network that is “systematic and complete, safe and reliable, intensive and efficient, green and intelligent, and with smooth circulation and orderly regulation”. These efforts have led to continuous improvement in the pattern of water regulation and allocation. Third, restore the ecological environment of rivers and lakes. In this regard, we base our efforts on the systematic nature of a basin for integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, water, forests, farmland, lakes, grass and sand. In particular, we coordinate the upper and lower streams, the left and right banks, and the trunks and the tributaries to enhance the ecological protection of rivers and lakes, apply comprehensive solution to groundwater overexploitation, and bring soil and water erosion under holistic control. As many persistent and acute problems concerning the ecological environment of rivers and lakes are effectively addressed, more and more rivers in China have resumed their vitality, while a growing number of basins have come back to life. Fourth, promote digital twin water-related development. We have sped up the development of digital twin basins, digital twin water networks and digital twin projects, to realize the digital mapping, intelligent simulation and forward-looking drilling that cover all elements of physical basins and the whole process of water governance and water management, and build the “three lines of defense” for rain monitoring and forecasting that consist of meteorological satellites, rain measuring radars, rain measuring and hydrometeorological stations to support forward-looking, scientific and safe decision making. Fifth, establish and improve water conservation systems and policies. In this aspect, we have strengthened the role of water resources as a rigid restraint. Among others, we adhere to the practice of deciding on urban planning, land use, population size and production scale in line with available water resources, effectively execute the National Action Plan for Water Conservation, exercise dual quantity-intensity control over water use, push forward initial water right allocation, intensify regulation over the usage of water resources, and develop water-saving industries. To be more specific, we have vigorously promoted water conservation and higher water use efficiency in agriculture, water conservation and emission reduction in industry, and water conservation and loss reduction in urban areas. All these efforts have upgraded the efficiency and effectiveness of water use in an all-round way. Sixth, reinforce institutional arrangements, relevant mechanisms, and rule of law. Our achievements in this regard include but are not limited to the following: full practice of the river chief and lake chief system; promulgation and implementation of the Yangtze River Protection Law and the Yellow River Protection Law and other laws and regulations; establishment of the mechanism for connecting water-related administrative law enforcement with criminal justice, and that for coordinating water-related administrative law enforcement with pro bono procurator litigation; more unified planning, governance, operation, and management of basins; breakthroughs in the reform for diversified water investment and finance mechanisms; and faster pace of reform for market-based water rights trading.
As a Chinese saying goes, “true knowledge comes from practice.” We have accumulated valuable experience in our unremitting practice of water governance. First, water governance needs to be guided by scientific thought and theory. The historical achievements and transformations in China’s water governance are indispensable from the guidance of President Xi Jinping’s water governance concept of “prioritizing water conservation, seeking spatial equilibrium, implementing systematic governance and achieving government-market synergy”. Second, focus on those issues of water hazards, water resources, the water ecology and the water environment that are of the most direct and realistic concern to the people. Only in this way can we constantly meet the people’s aspiration for a better life. Third, balance development and security, attach great importance to water security risks, enhance the awareness of potential dangers and actual risks, and improve the system for preventing and dissolving water security risks. Fourth, observe the laws of nature, ecology, economy, and society, and accurately grasp the dialectical relationship between humans and water, between water and ecology, and between water and economy/society, to promote harmony between humans and water. Fifth, take a systematical approach in analyzing water security issues, and facilitate full-factor, entire-basin, and whole-process governance. Sixth, leverage scientific and technological innovation as the driver to enable growingly digitalized and networked water governance and water management with better artificial intelligence and rule of law at a more refined and scientific level.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The world will face water security challenges such as frequent water hazards, shortage of water resources, damage to the water ecology and pollution of the water environment for a long time to come. The MWR would like to join hands with our counterparts in all countries of the world to discuss good strategies for water governance, seek cooperation and development, and promote the achievement of the water-related goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are also more than happy to contribute Chinese wisdom, solutions, and strength to more robust, greener, and healthier development of the world.
I wish the special session a complete success.
Thank you!