12.5 Conclusion and Outlook
273
arranged (Chen 2012). Since the launch of a trans-province water resources allocation
plan for 59 rivers, as of July 2018 only 33 rivers had been approved.
2
In 2019, the MWR reiterated the importance of water resources management and
clarified that the main problem facing the water sector is a conflict between demand
on water resources from the public, ecosystems, and the environment, and inadequate
water sectoral management capacity. It is clear that management, rather than infrastructure construction, has become the emphasis of water sector activity, in some ways
different from 2009 when the strategy was developed. Therefore, a new water sector
policy with “water infrastructure offset short board, water sector strengthen supervision and management,” has been developed by the MWR. It requires a transition
in water resources management concepts and methods, with the aim of fully implementing “water saving with first priority, strengthening water resources management
strategy” in all water-related activities.
3
Water saving is the new prerequisite for water resources development and use.
At the same time, the relationship between water resources, socio-economic development, and ecosystems, as well as between market and government functions, is
reemphasized.
4 It looks as though policy developed more than 10 years ago, in 2009,
is back again. This demonstrates the importance of the “strictest water resources
management strategy”, the re-development of the strategy in different times, and the
difficulties involved in putting water resources management at the center of the water
sector. But changes in high offices and governmental structures will continue to raise
questions over the future implementation of the strategy.
References
Chen, L. (2009). Implementing the strictest water resources management strategy to guarantee
sustainable social and economic development. China Water Resources, 5, 9–17.
Chen, L. (2012). Fully implementing the strictest water resources management strategy to guarantee
social and economic stable and faster development. China Water Resources, 10, 1–6.
Hu, S. (2012). Explanation on “opinions on implementing the strictest water resources management
strategy.” China Water Resources, 7, 4–8.
MWR et al. (2014). Assessment implementation plan for implementation of the strictest water
resources management strategy.
MWR et al. (2016). Assessment implementation plan for implementation of the strict water resources
management strategy for 13th five-year plan.
Office of the State Council. (2013). Assessment methods to implement the strict water resources
management strategy.
State Council. (2011). Decision on speeding water sector development and reform.
State Council. (2012). Opinions on implementing the strictest water resources management strategy.
The assessment working group of implementation of the strictest water resources management
strategy. (2015). Notice to issue 2014 assessment results of implementation of the strictest water
2 https://www.chinanews.com/gn/2018/07-09/8560748.shtml.
3 https://www.chinawater.com.cn/ztgz/hy/2019sltj/1/201901/t20190117_727923.html.
4 https://www.mwr.gov.cn/xw/slyw/201903/t20190322_1111601.html.
273
arranged (Chen 2012). Since the launch of a trans-province water resources allocation
plan for 59 rivers, as of July 2018 only 33 rivers had been approved.
2
In 2019, the MWR reiterated the importance of water resources management and
clarified that the main problem facing the water sector is a conflict between demand
on water resources from the public, ecosystems, and the environment, and inadequate
water sectoral management capacity. It is clear that management, rather than infrastructure construction, has become the emphasis of water sector activity, in some ways
different from 2009 when the strategy was developed. Therefore, a new water sector
policy with “water infrastructure offset short board, water sector strengthen supervision and management,” has been developed by the MWR. It requires a transition
in water resources management concepts and methods, with the aim of fully implementing “water saving with first priority, strengthening water resources management
strategy” in all water-related activities.
3
Water saving is the new prerequisite for water resources development and use.
At the same time, the relationship between water resources, socio-economic development, and ecosystems, as well as between market and government functions, is
reemphasized.
4 It looks as though policy developed more than 10 years ago, in 2009,
is back again. This demonstrates the importance of the “strictest water resources
management strategy”, the re-development of the strategy in different times, and the
difficulties involved in putting water resources management at the center of the water
sector. But changes in high offices and governmental structures will continue to raise
questions over the future implementation of the strategy.
References
Chen, L. (2009). Implementing the strictest water resources management strategy to guarantee
sustainable social and economic development. China Water Resources, 5, 9–17.
Chen, L. (2012). Fully implementing the strictest water resources management strategy to guarantee
social and economic stable and faster development. China Water Resources, 10, 1–6.
Hu, S. (2012). Explanation on “opinions on implementing the strictest water resources management
strategy.” China Water Resources, 7, 4–8.
MWR et al. (2014). Assessment implementation plan for implementation of the strictest water
resources management strategy.
MWR et al. (2016). Assessment implementation plan for implementation of the strict water resources
management strategy for 13th five-year plan.
Office of the State Council. (2013). Assessment methods to implement the strict water resources
management strategy.
State Council. (2011). Decision on speeding water sector development and reform.
State Council. (2012). Opinions on implementing the strictest water resources management strategy.
The assessment working group of implementation of the strictest water resources management
strategy. (2015). Notice to issue 2014 assessment results of implementation of the strictest water
2 https://www.chinanews.com/gn/2018/07-09/8560748.shtml.
3 https://www.chinawater.com.cn/ztgz/hy/2019sltj/1/201901/t20190117_727923.html.
4 https://www.mwr.gov.cn/xw/slyw/201903/t20190322_1111601.html.