3.4 MWR During Mar. 1988–Mar. 2018: From Construction …
71
further reformed into a ministry of water resources management in 1998, rather than
a water infrastructure development agency. Regarding an explanation of its functions, few words could be found related to engineering construction. Through the
introduction of water rights in 1998 and the revision of the Water Law in 2002, the
MWR had been reformed to become more of a water resources agency than a water
engineering development and construction agency.
3.4.4 MWR During March 2008–March 2013 and March
2013–March 2018
The 2008 governmental restructuring was an exploration of “super ministry” institution. Those agencies with similar or closely related functions were merged into a
single agency. The restructuring followed the principle of “one affair is the responsibility of one department.” In terms of water resources management by the MWR, the
task had been almost completed in the 1998 restructuring. Consequently, following
the 2008 governmental restructuring, the tasks of the MWR did not change significantly. Some functions, such as economic regulations for the water sector and
multi-operation guidance, were transferred out of the MWR. At the same time, the
MWR was required to strengthen water resources saving, protection, and rational
allocation; guarantee urban and rural water supply; and promote sustainable water
resources use. This requirement was a clear signal that water resources development
and infrastructure construction had not been the focus of the water sector.
Under this direction, the functions of MWR included the following:
• Being responsible for guaranteeing rational water resources development and
use. Formulating water resources strategic plans and policies, drafting relevant
laws and regulations, formulating departmental rules, and organizing the formulation of river basin comprehensive planning and flood-control planning for
major rivers and lakes; formulating and organizing the implementation of water
project construction systems in accordance with the regulations; being responsible
for proposing opinions regarding the amount and direction of water resources
fixed asset investment and the arrangements for central governmental funding;
approving fixed asset investment projects within the national plan and annual plan
according to the entitlement of the State Council; and proposing and organizing
the implementation of central government water investment arrangements.
• Being responsible for overall allocation and securing of domestic, productive, and
eco-environmental water uses. Undertaking integrated water resources management, drafting and supervising the implementation of national and inter-province
medium- and long-term water supply and demand planning and water resource
allocation planning; organizing to undertake water resources surveying and assessment; undertaking hydropower resources investigation in accordance with relevant
provisions; being responsible for water resources regulation in major river basin
regions and for key water diversion projects; implementing the water abstraction
71
further reformed into a ministry of water resources management in 1998, rather than
a water infrastructure development agency. Regarding an explanation of its functions, few words could be found related to engineering construction. Through the
introduction of water rights in 1998 and the revision of the Water Law in 2002, the
MWR had been reformed to become more of a water resources agency than a water
engineering development and construction agency.
3.4.4 MWR During March 2008–March 2013 and March
2013–March 2018
The 2008 governmental restructuring was an exploration of “super ministry” institution. Those agencies with similar or closely related functions were merged into a
single agency. The restructuring followed the principle of “one affair is the responsibility of one department.” In terms of water resources management by the MWR, the
task had been almost completed in the 1998 restructuring. Consequently, following
the 2008 governmental restructuring, the tasks of the MWR did not change significantly. Some functions, such as economic regulations for the water sector and
multi-operation guidance, were transferred out of the MWR. At the same time, the
MWR was required to strengthen water resources saving, protection, and rational
allocation; guarantee urban and rural water supply; and promote sustainable water
resources use. This requirement was a clear signal that water resources development
and infrastructure construction had not been the focus of the water sector.
Under this direction, the functions of MWR included the following:
• Being responsible for guaranteeing rational water resources development and
use. Formulating water resources strategic plans and policies, drafting relevant
laws and regulations, formulating departmental rules, and organizing the formulation of river basin comprehensive planning and flood-control planning for
major rivers and lakes; formulating and organizing the implementation of water
project construction systems in accordance with the regulations; being responsible
for proposing opinions regarding the amount and direction of water resources
fixed asset investment and the arrangements for central governmental funding;
approving fixed asset investment projects within the national plan and annual plan
according to the entitlement of the State Council; and proposing and organizing
the implementation of central government water investment arrangements.
• Being responsible for overall allocation and securing of domestic, productive, and
eco-environmental water uses. Undertaking integrated water resources management, drafting and supervising the implementation of national and inter-province
medium- and long-term water supply and demand planning and water resource
allocation planning; organizing to undertake water resources surveying and assessment; undertaking hydropower resources investigation in accordance with relevant
provisions; being responsible for water resources regulation in major river basin
regions and for key water diversion projects; implementing the water abstraction