3.4 MWR During Mar. 1988–Mar. 2018: From Construction …
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• Managing national water and soil conservation works.
• Organizing relevant agencies to conduct water resources investigation and
assessment, conducting sectoral management on hydrological works.
• Conducting sectoral management of water infrastructure construction and development, reservoir resettlement, and reservoir fishery.
With the issuance of the first national Water Law in 1988, China’s first modern
water legislation, the key functions of the MWR were fully implemented by law. In the
meantime, the functions and design of subsectors in water sector have been formalized by following the definitions in the Water Law. This modern water resources
management framework includes water resources, river and dyke planning, management and protection, water and soil conservation, flood control and drought resistance, in addition to the traditional water activities, such as hydrological works or
agricultural and irrigation development. The framework has been consistently applied
since 1988.
Over the same period, the MWR started to pay attention to water resources
management, although it retained its traditional focus on engineering aspects. This
time is the beginning of modern water resources management in China. The causes
leading to these changes included increasing water shortages in urban areas and
industrial sectors, the international movement to emphasize water resources and
their management in the 1980s, and other related developments.
3.4.2 MWR During March 1993–March 1998
According to the first session of the eighth NPC, the MWR was required to transfer
functions, improve efficiency, and deepen water sector reform, based on the characteristics of the water sector and in adaption to the requirement to develop a socialist
market economy institution. In accordance with the general requirements of national
administrative institutional reform, the MWR was required to further alter its conception and functions to strengthen water sector management and integrated water
resources management. It prioritized improving the following areas: the functions of
water sector development strategy, planning, policy and legislation; the harnessing of
major rivers and lakes; flooding control; rural water sector management; and water
and soil conservation. The planning, coordination, supervision, management, and
services were to be well conducted. The detailed management activities of personnel,
capital, and goods, as well as professional and technical tasks were handed over to
agencies. At the same time, the role of the RBO was strengthened to establish a
hierarchical and graded national water administration institution consisting of the
MWR, RBO, and local WADs (Office of the State Council 1994).
The MWR was redefined to integrate the management of national water resources,
rivers, reservoirs and lakes and to oversee flood control, water and soil conservation, and water sector management. Therefore, the MWR was required to focus on
67
• Managing national water and soil conservation works.
• Organizing relevant agencies to conduct water resources investigation and
assessment, conducting sectoral management on hydrological works.
• Conducting sectoral management of water infrastructure construction and development, reservoir resettlement, and reservoir fishery.
With the issuance of the first national Water Law in 1988, China’s first modern
water legislation, the key functions of the MWR were fully implemented by law. In the
meantime, the functions and design of subsectors in water sector have been formalized by following the definitions in the Water Law. This modern water resources
management framework includes water resources, river and dyke planning, management and protection, water and soil conservation, flood control and drought resistance, in addition to the traditional water activities, such as hydrological works or
agricultural and irrigation development. The framework has been consistently applied
since 1988.
Over the same period, the MWR started to pay attention to water resources
management, although it retained its traditional focus on engineering aspects. This
time is the beginning of modern water resources management in China. The causes
leading to these changes included increasing water shortages in urban areas and
industrial sectors, the international movement to emphasize water resources and
their management in the 1980s, and other related developments.
3.4.2 MWR During March 1993–March 1998
According to the first session of the eighth NPC, the MWR was required to transfer
functions, improve efficiency, and deepen water sector reform, based on the characteristics of the water sector and in adaption to the requirement to develop a socialist
market economy institution. In accordance with the general requirements of national
administrative institutional reform, the MWR was required to further alter its conception and functions to strengthen water sector management and integrated water
resources management. It prioritized improving the following areas: the functions of
water sector development strategy, planning, policy and legislation; the harnessing of
major rivers and lakes; flooding control; rural water sector management; and water
and soil conservation. The planning, coordination, supervision, management, and
services were to be well conducted. The detailed management activities of personnel,
capital, and goods, as well as professional and technical tasks were handed over to
agencies. At the same time, the role of the RBO was strengthened to establish a
hierarchical and graded national water administration institution consisting of the
MWR, RBO, and local WADs (Office of the State Council 1994).
The MWR was redefined to integrate the management of national water resources,
rivers, reservoirs and lakes and to oversee flood control, water and soil conservation, and water sector management. Therefore, the MWR was required to focus on