64
3 Water Resources Management Institutions
• The MWP was responsible for water resources allocation and the management
of key water projects, while the Ministry of Agriculture was tasked with the
management of irrigation and canals.
• The central government was responsible for flood control, with daily operations
handled by the MWP.
• The cross-province water conflicts related to urban and industrial area were dealt
with by MWP, while the Ministry of Agriculture handled conflicts related to
agriculture.
• The Ministry of Agriculture was responsible for water and soil conservation.
After the MWP was established, provincial water departments operated under the
dual leadership of the MWP and the Ministry of Agriculture.
During this period, the MWP was regarded as an industrial rather than an agricultural department. Therefore, the key function of the agency was the construction
of infrastructure to provide water and power for the country. The line between the
MWP and the Ministry of Agriculture also reflected these characteristics: agricultural projects were considered as small scale and less important compared to power
generation and supply. More importantly, the sectoral or departmental management
roles of the water sector and its subsectors were clearly defined. This characteristic
would endure until after the 2000s, although it was constantly criticized.
3.3.2 MWP During July 1967–January 1975
The 1966–1976 Cultural Revolution was a chaotic period for China. In July 1967,
the previous organizations were revoked, and the MWP set up the military control
commission and its internal groups, such as the secretariat group, production group,
hydropower group and water resources group, comprehensive group, and so forth.
These groups were changed over time.
3.3.3 MWP During January 1975–February 1979
In January 1975, military control ended and the internal agencies in the MWR were
restored to their original functions. In October 1977, the State Council set up a
national agricultural infrastructure construction office in the MWP, followed by a
nuclear power bureau in November 1977. The establishment of these two agencies indicated that the country needed to emphasize large-scale agricultural project
development and nuclear power development.
3 Water Resources Management Institutions
• The MWP was responsible for water resources allocation and the management
of key water projects, while the Ministry of Agriculture was tasked with the
management of irrigation and canals.
• The central government was responsible for flood control, with daily operations
handled by the MWP.
• The cross-province water conflicts related to urban and industrial area were dealt
with by MWP, while the Ministry of Agriculture handled conflicts related to
agriculture.
• The Ministry of Agriculture was responsible for water and soil conservation.
After the MWP was established, provincial water departments operated under the
dual leadership of the MWP and the Ministry of Agriculture.
During this period, the MWP was regarded as an industrial rather than an agricultural department. Therefore, the key function of the agency was the construction
of infrastructure to provide water and power for the country. The line between the
MWP and the Ministry of Agriculture also reflected these characteristics: agricultural projects were considered as small scale and less important compared to power
generation and supply. More importantly, the sectoral or departmental management
roles of the water sector and its subsectors were clearly defined. This characteristic
would endure until after the 2000s, although it was constantly criticized.
3.3.2 MWP During July 1967–January 1975
The 1966–1976 Cultural Revolution was a chaotic period for China. In July 1967,
the previous organizations were revoked, and the MWP set up the military control
commission and its internal groups, such as the secretariat group, production group,
hydropower group and water resources group, comprehensive group, and so forth.
These groups were changed over time.
3.3.3 MWP During January 1975–February 1979
In January 1975, military control ended and the internal agencies in the MWR were
restored to their original functions. In October 1977, the State Council set up a
national agricultural infrastructure construction office in the MWP, followed by a
nuclear power bureau in November 1977. The establishment of these two agencies indicated that the country needed to emphasize large-scale agricultural project
development and nuclear power development.