Chapter 2
Water Resources Management
Framework
Abstract This chapter analyzes the water resources management framework in
China, focusing on the system design and relationships. The key water resources
management systems and their policy direction and focal points are described and
analyzed. The relationships of these systems in water resources management are
classified in terms of water resources development and use processes, management responsibilities, temporal and spatial aspects, technical review procedures
and administrative management activities, and management instruments and levels.
These systems form a complicated water resources management framework in China.
The framework developed covers most aspects of water resources management,
from long term to short term, from river basin to user, and from access restriction to internal incentives. Compared to those in other countries, China’s framework is more complicated, resulting in high requirements in its technical aspect and
implementation.
Keywords Water resource management framework · Water resource management
system · System design · System relationship · Complexity
2.1 Water Resources Management Framework
According to water legislation such as the Water Law and other relevant laws and
regulations, China has established a water resources management framework to
deal with water resources allocation, regulation, abstraction and use, as well as
saving and protection. The management systems in the framework include various
approaches, such as allocation, regulation, permit, fee/tax, use justification, zoning,
quota, planning, and saving measures.
When establishing these water resources management systems, the legislation
entitles the management powers to water resources management agencies to implement these systems, such as RBOs and WADs at various levels (including province,
prefecture, and county), and thus forms a complete implementation system (Fig. 2.1).
The chapter is based on Shen, D. (2010). National water rights system development for China.
Beijing: China Water and Power Publisher.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Shen, Water Resources Management of the People’s Republic of China,
Global Issues in Water Policy 26, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61931-2_2
25
Water Resources Management
Framework
Abstract This chapter analyzes the water resources management framework in
China, focusing on the system design and relationships. The key water resources
management systems and their policy direction and focal points are described and
analyzed. The relationships of these systems in water resources management are
classified in terms of water resources development and use processes, management responsibilities, temporal and spatial aspects, technical review procedures
and administrative management activities, and management instruments and levels.
These systems form a complicated water resources management framework in China.
The framework developed covers most aspects of water resources management,
from long term to short term, from river basin to user, and from access restriction to internal incentives. Compared to those in other countries, China’s framework is more complicated, resulting in high requirements in its technical aspect and
implementation.
Keywords Water resource management framework · Water resource management
system · System design · System relationship · Complexity
2.1 Water Resources Management Framework
According to water legislation such as the Water Law and other relevant laws and
regulations, China has established a water resources management framework to
deal with water resources allocation, regulation, abstraction and use, as well as
saving and protection. The management systems in the framework include various
approaches, such as allocation, regulation, permit, fee/tax, use justification, zoning,
quota, planning, and saving measures.
When establishing these water resources management systems, the legislation
entitles the management powers to water resources management agencies to implement these systems, such as RBOs and WADs at various levels (including province,
prefecture, and county), and thus forms a complete implementation system (Fig. 2.1).
The chapter is based on Shen, D. (2010). National water rights system development for China.
Beijing: China Water and Power Publisher.
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Shen, Water Resources Management of the People’s Republic of China,
Global Issues in Water Policy 26, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61931-2_2
25