9.5 Suggestions and Recommendations
219
water quality will be a long and difficult task in China, but to begin, China should fully
implement and reform the current system’s framework, develop effective coordination mechanisms between quality and quantity, manage its water resources within
a river basin context, and encourage market-based approaches. These changes will
help the country to improve not only in terms of its environment but also in terms of
its development.
9.6 Summary
The chapter analyzes water quality management in China, including the legal framework, institutional design, key management instruments and problems, and suggestions for improvement. The chapter comprises the section in the book dedicated to
the quality aspect of water resources management.
In China, increasing numbers of critical water quality problems have been exposed
in recent years. In order to deal with water quality management, China has developed a separate, sectoral management system, where instruments including standards, function zones, permits, and charges are extensively applied. However, this
arrangement has resulted in a range of problems, including an unintegrated framework, overlapping functions, focus on pollution control, poor implementation, and
inadequate capacity. Solving these problems and improving water quality will be a
laborious process for China. However, China can start by fully implementing and
reforming the current system, restructuring water quality management institutions,
managing its water resources within a river basin context, and encouraging marketbased approaches. This would help the country improve not only in terms of its
environment but also in terms of its development.
References
Chen, L. (2009). Implementing the strictest water resources management strategy to guarantee
sustainable socio-economic development. In Speech on national water resources conference,
February 14, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://szyjk.mwr.gov.cn/xmyw/201205/t20
120511_321015.html.
Li, G., Cai, S. (2011). The assessment on water environment and water resources protection legislation. In Legal issue study on water resources sustainable use and water eco-environmental
protection. Proceeding of 2008 national environmental and resources law workshop (pp. 189–
194)
MEE. (2018). 2017 Ecological and environmental bulletin of China.
MWR. (2017). Water resources bulletin of China.
MWR. (2018). Water resources bulletin of China.
Shen, D. (2005). Water-related risk management in China: A legal, institutional, and regulatory
overview. Water International, 30(3), 329–338.
Shen, D., & Liu, B. (2010). Integrated urban and rural water affairs management reform in China:
Affecting factors. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 33(5), 364–375.
219
water quality will be a long and difficult task in China, but to begin, China should fully
implement and reform the current system’s framework, develop effective coordination mechanisms between quality and quantity, manage its water resources within
a river basin context, and encourage market-based approaches. These changes will
help the country to improve not only in terms of its environment but also in terms of
its development.
9.6 Summary
The chapter analyzes water quality management in China, including the legal framework, institutional design, key management instruments and problems, and suggestions for improvement. The chapter comprises the section in the book dedicated to
the quality aspect of water resources management.
In China, increasing numbers of critical water quality problems have been exposed
in recent years. In order to deal with water quality management, China has developed a separate, sectoral management system, where instruments including standards, function zones, permits, and charges are extensively applied. However, this
arrangement has resulted in a range of problems, including an unintegrated framework, overlapping functions, focus on pollution control, poor implementation, and
inadequate capacity. Solving these problems and improving water quality will be a
laborious process for China. However, China can start by fully implementing and
reforming the current system, restructuring water quality management institutions,
managing its water resources within a river basin context, and encouraging marketbased approaches. This would help the country improve not only in terms of its
environment but also in terms of its development.
References
Chen, L. (2009). Implementing the strictest water resources management strategy to guarantee
sustainable socio-economic development. In Speech on national water resources conference,
February 14, 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://szyjk.mwr.gov.cn/xmyw/201205/t20
120511_321015.html.
Li, G., Cai, S. (2011). The assessment on water environment and water resources protection legislation. In Legal issue study on water resources sustainable use and water eco-environmental
protection. Proceeding of 2008 national environmental and resources law workshop (pp. 189–
194)
MEE. (2018). 2017 Ecological and environmental bulletin of China.
MWR. (2017). Water resources bulletin of China.
MWR. (2018). Water resources bulletin of China.
Shen, D. (2005). Water-related risk management in China: A legal, institutional, and regulatory
overview. Water International, 30(3), 329–338.
Shen, D., & Liu, B. (2010). Integrated urban and rural water affairs management reform in China:
Affecting factors. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 33(5), 364–375.