Core Insights - The Chinese government has made significant progress in water conservancy development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, enhancing flood safety, water supply security, food security, and ecological safety [4][5]. Investment and Infrastructure - Water conservancy construction investment has exceeded 1 trillion yuan for three consecutive years, reaching a historical high of 1.3529 trillion yuan in 2024, with a total expected investment of 5.4 trillion yuan during the "14th Five-Year Plan," which is 1.6 times that of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [5]. - A total of 172 major water conservancy projects have commenced since the beginning of the "14th Five-Year Plan," with 95,000 reservoirs, 200 large and medium-sized water diversion projects, and 6,924 large and medium-sized irrigation areas completed by the end of 2024 [5]. Disaster Management and Water Resource Allocation - The proportion of flood disaster losses to GDP has decreased from 0.28% during the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.18% during the "14th Five-Year Plan" [5]. - The national water network coverage is expected to reach 80.3% by the end of this year, with significant projects like the South-to-North Water Diversion and other major water diversion projects enhancing water resource allocation [6]. Water Conservation and Efficiency - Water resource utilization has improved, achieving zero growth in total water consumption despite economic growth, with water usage per unit of GDP and industrial output decreasing by 17.7% and 23.6% respectively compared to 2020 [7]. - The area of effective irrigation has increased to 6.38 million hectares, with unconventional water utilization reaching 25.1 billion cubic meters [7]. Agricultural Support and Rural Water Supply - The government has focused on modernizing irrigation systems and ensuring rural water supply, with a target of 96% for rural tap water coverage by the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan" [8]. - The construction of 30 major water diversion and key water source projects has been prioritized to support food production in major grain-producing areas [8]. Ecological Restoration and Soil Conservation - The area affected by soil erosion in the Loess Plateau has been reduced by over half, with significant measures taken to improve vegetation and soil conservation [11]. - The ecological environment of rivers and lakes has improved, with a focus on restoring flow in historically dried rivers and enhancing ecological water flow standards [10].

Core Viewpoint - The press conference highlighted the achievements in high-quality water conservancy development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, emphasizing significant investments and infrastructure improvements in China's water management system [1][4]. Investment and Infrastructure Development - Water conservancy construction investment reached over 1 trillion yuan in 2022, marking a historical record, with projections of 13.529 billion yuan in 2024 and a total investment exceeding 5.4 trillion yuan during the "14th Five-Year Plan," which is 1.6 times that of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [1]. - A total of 172 major water conservancy projects were initiated, with the completion of 95,000 reservoirs, 200 large and medium-sized water diversion projects, and 31,800 kilometers of embankments by the end of 2024 [1][4]. Water Resource Utilization - The capacity for water resource conservation and utilization has improved, with the national water network coverage expected to reach 80.3% by the end of 2024, and irrigated farmland area reaching 1.09 billion acres [1][5]. - The South-to-North Water Diversion Project's East and Middle Line has transferred over 83 billion cubic meters of water, benefiting 195 million people in 48 large and medium-sized cities [6]. Structural and Functional Optimization - The water conservancy sector has focused on optimizing layout, structure, function, and system integration, with significant progress in constructing major water diversion projects and enhancing water supply capabilities [5][6]. - The total water diversion capacity of north-south and east-west channels has reached 819 billion cubic meters and 734 billion cubic meters, respectively [6]. Agricultural Water Security - The water conservancy department has implemented measures to enhance food security, including the development of modern irrigation districts and the modernization of 1,959 large and medium-sized irrigation districts, increasing irrigated area by over 20 million acres [7]. - In response to droughts, targeted actions were taken to ensure water supply for crops, with 62 billion cubic meters of water released to support 18.3 million acres of autumn crops during severe droughts in 2022 [7][8]. Water Efficiency Improvement - By the end of 2024, the area of water-saving irrigation is expected to reach 63.8 million acres, a 12.5% increase from the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan," with a reduction in average water usage per acre [8].

Core Insights - China has made significant progress in water management and disaster prevention during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, contributing to flood safety, water supply security, food security, and ecological safety [1][3]. Group 1: Flood and Disaster Management - The flood control capacity of reservoirs has reached 185.6 billion cubic meters, protecting a population of 660 million people [3]. - The national flood retention area has a capacity of 109 billion cubic meters, with 133,000 hydrological monitoring stations established [3]. - The proportion of flood disaster losses to GDP has decreased from 0.28% during the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.18% during the "14th Five-Year Plan" [3]. Group 2: Ecological Restoration - Key rivers and lakes have seen improvements, with a 98.6% compliance rate for ecological flow standards [6]. - Issues related to "disorderly occupation, mining, stacking, and construction" have been addressed, with an expected increase in soil erosion control area by 340,000 square kilometers [6]. - Soil conservation rate has reached 73% [6]. Group 3: Water Resource Utilization - By the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan," the national water network coverage is expected to reach 80%, with irrigated farmland area at 109 million acres and rural tap water coverage at 96% [8]. - Water usage per unit of GDP is projected to decrease by 17.7%, and water usage per unit of industrial added value is expected to decline by 23.6% compared to the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [8]. - The effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water has improved from 0.565 at the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.58 [8]. Group 4: Modern Governance and Management - New laws and regulations, including the Yangtze River Protection Law and the Yellow River Protection Law, have been implemented to enhance water management [10]. - A total of 1.2 million river and lake chiefs have been appointed to oversee water bodies [10]. - Non-fiscal funding usage averaged 395.7 billion yuan annually over the first four years of the "14th Five-Year Plan," which is 2.3 times that of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [10].

Core Viewpoint - China has made significant progress in water conservancy development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, contributing to flood safety, water supply security, food security, and ecological safety [1] Group 1: Water Infrastructure Development - Investment in water conservancy construction reached over 1 trillion yuan for the first time in 2022, marking three consecutive years of record-breaking investment [2] - A total of 172 major water conservancy projects were initiated since the start of the "14th Five-Year Plan" [2] - By the end of 2024, China will have built 95,000 reservoirs, 200 large and medium-sized water diversion projects, 6,924 large and medium-sized irrigation areas, and 318,000 kilometers of embankments, forming the world's largest and most comprehensive water conservancy infrastructure system [2] Group 2: Flood and Drought Disaster Prevention - The flood control capacity of reservoirs is 185.6 billion cubic meters, protecting a population of 660 million [4] - The national flood retention area has a capacity of 109 billion cubic meters, with 133,000 hydrological monitoring stations established [4] - The proportion of flood disaster losses to GDP decreased from 0.28% during the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.18% during the "14th Five-Year Plan" [4] Group 3: Ecological Environment Improvement - Several rivers, including the Grand Canal and the Xiliao River, have been fully restored after decades of disconnection [6] - The ecological flow compliance rate for key rivers and lakes reached 98.6%, with 140,000 issues of "disorderly occupation, mining, stacking, and construction" addressed [6] - An estimated 340,000 square kilometers of soil erosion control area will be added, with a soil conservation rate of 73% [6] Group 4: Water Resource Utilization - The national water network coverage is expected to reach 80% by the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan," with irrigated farmland area reaching 109 million acres and rural tap water coverage at 96% [7] - By 2024, water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP and per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value is projected to decrease by 17.7% and 23.6%, respectively, compared to the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [7] - The effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water in farmland increased from 0.565 at the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.58 [7]

Core Viewpoint - The press conference held by the State Council Information Office highlighted the achievements in high-quality water resources development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, emphasizing improvements in water resource utilization and infrastructure development [1] Summary by Relevant Sections Water Resource Utilization - The capacity and level of water resource conservation and intensive utilization in China have further improved since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan [1] - A series of water source, water diversion, and irrigation projects have been constructed, with the national water network coverage expected to reach 80.3% by the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan [1] Agricultural and Rural Water Supply - The irrigated area of arable land is projected to reach 10.9 million acres, and the rural tap water coverage rate is expected to reach 96% [1] - These developments provide essential water resource support for major national strategies, ensuring stable grain production and the well-being of urban and rural residents [1] Water Resource Management Policies - The establishment of a rigid water resource constraint mechanism is being accelerated, along with the improvement of policies for agricultural water conservation, industrial water reduction, and urban water loss reduction [1] - The approach of determining urban planning, land use, population distribution, and production based on water availability is being reinforced, achieving zero growth in total water consumption despite significant economic growth and continuous increases in grain production [1]

Core Insights - The "14th Five-Year Plan" has significantly advanced water conservancy infrastructure in China, with investments exceeding 1 trillion yuan for the first time in 2022 and projected to reach 1.3529 trillion yuan in 2024, totaling over 5.4 trillion yuan by the end of the plan, which is 1.6 times that of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [1][2] Group 1: Infrastructure Development - A total of 172 major water conservancy projects have commenced since the start of the "14th Five-Year Plan" [1] - By the end of 2024, China will have constructed 95,000 reservoirs, 200 large and medium-sized water diversion projects, 6,924 large and medium-sized irrigation areas, and 318,000 kilometers of embankments, creating the world's largest and most comprehensive water conservancy infrastructure system [1] Group 2: Investment and Financing - A new investment and financing model has been established, combining fiscal funds, financial credit, and social capital, with an average annual use of non-fiscal funds reaching 395.7 billion yuan, which is 2.3 times that of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [1] - Breakthroughs have been made in issuing water infrastructure investment trust funds, inter-provincial water rights trading, and various water ecological product value transformation transactions [1] Group 3: Water Resource Management - The capacity for water resource conservation and efficient utilization has improved, with the national water network coverage expected to reach 80.3% and irrigated farmland area reaching 1.09 billion acres by the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan" [2] - The effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water has increased from 0.565 at the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.58 [2] - Water consumption per unit of GDP and industrial added value is projected to decrease by 17.7% and 23.6%, respectively, compared to the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan" [2]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that Lianyungang City is transforming water resource constraints into water resource guarantees through innovative practices in water management [1][5] Group 2 - Donghai County has implemented a tailwater recycling irrigation project, saving approximately 4.5 million cubic meters of fresh water through the use of tailwater for irrigation [2] - In 2024, Donghai County will invest 37.6 million yuan in a pilot project for agricultural tailwater management, incorporating advanced irrigation facilities [2] - The area covered by agricultural tailwater recycling in Lianyungang City has exceeded 200,000 acres, significantly reducing total water usage and enhancing water efficiency [3] Group 3 - Lianyungang Port Group has signed an agreement with China Everbright Water to supply treated reclaimed water, with an initial capacity of 40,000 tons per day, expanding to 80,000 tons in the future [4] - The city is developing a network for reclaimed water utilization, which will alleviate the pressure on conventional water sources [4] Group 4 - The Western Gangling area faces challenges in water resource allocation, prompting the city to conduct research and propose solutions to enhance irrigation capacity and promote efficient water use [5] - The approach combines both "opening up" new water sources and "saving" through efficient irrigation techniques, aligning with the principle of "water determines land" [5]

Core Viewpoint - The Yellow River has achieved continuous flow for 26 years since 1999, supported by effective water resource management and allocation strategies, despite facing drought conditions in certain regions [1][2]. Group 1: Water Resource Management - The Yellow River Water Resources Commission has implemented the "Four Waters and Four Determinations" principle to enhance water resource conservation and efficient utilization, successfully completing annual water allocation tasks [1]. - In the 2024-2025 period, over 22.3 billion cubic meters of water were supplied from the Yellow River to the basin and related areas, supporting ecological protection and high-quality development [1]. Group 2: Drought Response and Ecological Support - The Yellow River basin experienced varying degrees of drought in the summer of 2024 and spring-summer of 2025, leading to significant water demand for drought relief [1]. - The commission proactively planned and deployed resources to ensure water supply safety, food security, and ecological safety in drought-affected provinces [1]. - Cross-basin water replenishment efforts included 0.08 billion cubic meters of emergency water supply to the South Four Lakes, effectively alleviating local drought conditions [2]. Group 3: Ecological Restoration Efforts - Cumulative ecological water replenishment efforts included 3.74 billion cubic meters to the Uliangsuhai and 1.72 billion cubic meters to the estuarine delta, improving local water ecological environments [2]. - The commission is actively promoting the restoration of the Qinhai and Heihe rivers as part of ongoing ecological recovery initiatives [2].

Core Viewpoint - The recent document issued by the Central Committee and the State Council emphasizes the need for enhanced river protection and governance, aiming to significantly improve urban and rural water supply security by 2035, indicating a stronger commitment to national water safety [1] Group 1: Water Resource Management - China faces significant challenges in water resource management due to uneven distribution, with summer floods and winter droughts leading to ecological issues such as river channel disconnection and groundwater over-extraction [2] - The document outlines a systematic approach to enhance water supply security, including maximizing the potential of existing water storage projects and accelerating the construction of key water source projects [2] Group 2: Agricultural and Rural Water Supply - Water resource shortages threaten regional development, food security, and drinking safety, making irrigation systems crucial for ensuring stable agricultural production [3] - The development of rural water supply requires tailored approaches, promoting integrated urban-rural water supply systems to ensure safe drinking water for rural residents [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of water conservation in China, highlighting a strategic initiative to enhance water resource utilization by 2035 as part of a broader effort to protect and manage rivers [1] Group 1: Policy Initiatives - The Central Committee and the State Council have issued opinions on comprehensive river protection and management, aiming to improve water resource conservation levels by 2035 [1] - The initiative is seen as a necessary step to implement rigid water resource constraints and the "Water Conservation Regulation" [1] Group 2: Societal Awareness and Action - There is a call for society to enhance awareness of water scarcity and crisis, positioning water conservation as a fundamental solution for water-scarce regions [1] - The goal is to promote the construction of a water-saving society and encourage a water-saving lifestyle in production and daily activities [1] Group 3: Technological Support - The strategy emphasizes the importance of technological innovation as a support mechanism to comprehensively improve water conservation levels across various sectors [1]