Core Insights - The Ministry of Water Resources has initiated a revival action plan for 88 major rivers and lakes, with significant progress reported by September 2025, including the full connectivity of 79 rivers and effective maintenance of ecological water levels in 9 lakes [1][2] Group 1: Revival Action Plan - The Ministry has developed the "Mother River Revival Action Plan (2022-2025)" tailored to the specific conditions of each river and lake, focusing on resource management, ecological protection, and restoration needs [1] - A comprehensive strategy is implemented, coordinating upstream and downstream, surface and groundwater, and local and transferred water resources to optimize water allocation [1] Group 2: Water Resource Efficiency - In the Haihe River Basin, water usage per unit of GDP and industrial added value has decreased by 23.1% and 31.8% respectively compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan, indicating improved water resource efficiency [2] - The unconventional water supply in the basin reached 4.59 billion cubic meters, accounting for 12% of the total supply, providing a stable secondary water source [2] Group 3: Groundwater Management - Groundwater over-extraction has been reduced by 83.5% since 2015, with the area of over-extraction decreasing by 29%, and groundwater levels in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region have risen significantly [2] - The continuous flow of the Grand Canal, which had been dry for a century, has been restored for four consecutive years, and the Yongding River, which had been dry for 26 years, has achieved full connectivity for five years [2]

Core Insights - During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China has achieved significant advancements in water conservancy, establishing the world's largest and most comprehensive water infrastructure system that benefits the most people [1] Group 1: Water Resource Management - As of September 2025, all target tasks for the revival of 88 major rivers have been completed, with 79 rivers fully connected and 9 lakes maintaining effective ecological water levels [3] - The Haihe River Basin has restored flow to 30 previously stagnant rivers and revived 102 dry springs, fundamentally reversing the situation of "dry rivers and polluted waters" [3] Group 2: Investment and Infrastructure Development - Water conservancy construction has seen a leap in investment, surpassing 1 trillion yuan for the first time, with historical records broken for three consecutive years [5] - The water supply capacity of water conservancy projects has reached 900 billion cubic meters, accelerating the formation of a water resource allocation pattern of "south-north transfer and east-west mutual assistance" [5] Group 3: Reservoir and Irrigation Expansion - A total of 95,000 reservoirs have been built, with a total capacity exceeding 1 trillion cubic meters, making China the leader in reservoir types, numbers, and high dams globally [7] - The irrigated area of arable land has increased to 109 million acres, with the effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water rising from 0.565 to 0.58, supporting a projected grain output of over 1.4 trillion jin in 2024 [9] Group 4: Rural Water Supply and Economic Impact - China has established the world's largest rural centralized water supply system, with the national rural tap water coverage expected to reach 96% by the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan" [9] - Despite an average annual economic growth rate of 5.5%, the total water consumption in the country has achieved zero growth, effectively supporting high-quality economic and social development [11]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Water Resources has reported significant progress in the "Mother River Revival Action," aimed at restoring the vitality of rivers and lakes across China, with a focus on sustainable water management and ecological restoration [1][2]. Group 1: Achievements of the Revival Action - Since 2022, 88 major rivers and lakes have been selected for revival actions, with all targets expected to be completed by September 2025 [1]. - Among the 88 rivers and lakes, 79 rivers have achieved full connectivity, and 9 lakes have maintained effective ecological water levels [1]. - Notable successes include the Yellow River flowing continuously for 26 years and the Jing-Hang Grand Canal achieving water flow for the past four years after a century of disconnection [1]. Group 2: Focus on Key River Basins - The Haihe River basin has seen a turnaround from severe pollution and drying conditions, with the Yongding River flowing continuously for five years and Baiyangdian maintaining an average ecological water level above 7 meters for seven years [2]. - Other key rivers have also shown significant recovery, with groundwater over-extraction reduced by 31.9% compared to previous evaluations, and the area of severely over-extracted groundwater reduced by 51% [2]. Group 3: Methodology and Management - The revival efforts are based on tailored management strategies for different rivers and lakes, with specific restoration plans and clear goals established [3]. - A total of 171 cross-province key rivers and 546 provincial key rivers have been identified for ecological flow management, achieving a compliance rate of 98.6% for ecological flow targets in 2024 [3]. Group 4: Water Conservation Efforts - During the 14th Five-Year Plan, over 3,000 external water extraction projects have been rejected, and a national database of over 5.5 million water extraction points has been established [4]. - Groundwater over-extraction in the Haihe River basin has decreased by 83.5% since 2015, with significant recovery in groundwater levels observed [4]. Group 5: Technological Innovations - The use of drones and satellite remote sensing has enhanced monitoring and decision-making efficiency in water resource management, particularly in the West Liao River's revival [5]. - Future efforts will focus on establishing long-term mechanisms for river and lake revival and expanding the revival actions nationwide [5].

Core Insights - The Ministry of Water Resources announced that by the end of September 2025, all 88 river restoration targets will be fully achieved as part of the Mother River Revival Action initiated in 2022 [1][3] - During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the annual water consumption in the Haihe River Basin will stabilize at approximately 37 billion cubic meters [1][7] Group 1: Environmental Improvements - Since 2022, the Ministry has focused on addressing issues such as river channel disconnection and lake shrinkage through measures like water conservation, optimized water resource allocation, ecological restoration, and strict river and lake management [3] - Out of the 88 targeted rivers and lakes, 79 rivers have achieved full connectivity, and 9 lakes have effectively maintained ecological water levels [3] - The Yellow River has achieved continuous flow for 26 years, and the Heihe River's eastern end has not dried up for 21 years; the Grand Canal, which had been disconnected for a century, has seen continuous flow for 4 years [3] Group 2: Groundwater Management - The Ministry reported a 31.9% reduction in the over-extraction of groundwater compared to the previous evaluation, with the area of severely over-extracted regions decreasing by 51% [5] - In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, shallow and deep groundwater levels have increased by 3.29 meters and 7.67 meters, respectively, since the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [5] Group 3: Water Resource Utilization - The water consumption per unit of GDP and per unit of industrial added value in 2024 is expected to decrease by 23.1% and 31.8%, respectively, compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [7] - The unconventional water supply in the Haihe River Basin is projected to reach 4.59 billion cubic meters in 2024, accounting for 12% of the total water supply in the basin, providing a stable "second water source" to alleviate water resource supply and demand conflicts [7]

Core Points - The Ministry of Water Resources announced that all 88 river and lake restoration targets have been fully achieved since the launch of the Mother River Restoration Action in 2022, with significant results noted [1][3]. Group 1: Restoration Achievements - The Ministry focused on addressing issues such as river disconnection and lake shrinkage through measures like water conservation, optimized water resource allocation, ecological restoration, and strict river and lake management [3]. - Among the 88 rivers and lakes, 79 rivers have achieved full connectivity, and 9 lakes have effectively maintained ecological water levels [3]. - The Yellow River has maintained continuous flow for 26 years, and the Heihe River's tail end, Dongjuanyanhai, has not dried up for 21 years [3]. Group 2: Future Plans - The Grand Canal has achieved water flow continuity for four consecutive years, with the Xiliao River, which had been disconnected for 27 years, achieving full flow twice this year [4]. - The situation in the Haihe River basin, previously characterized by "dry rivers and polluted waters," has fundamentally changed [4]. - The Ministry plans to expand the Mother River Restoration Action nationwide to restore more rivers and rejuvenate their ecosystems [4].

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 Insights - The Chinese government has made significant progress in water resources management and infrastructure development during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on flood control, water supply, food security, and ecological safety [1][2]. Investment and Infrastructure Development - Water infrastructure 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 previous five-year period [2]. - 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 31,800 kilometers of embankments constructed by the end of 2024 [2]. Flood and Drought Management - The proportion of flood disaster losses to GDP has decreased from 0.28% during the "13th Five-Year Plan" to 0.18% during the current period, with flood control capacity significantly enhanced [2]. - The water storage capacity of reservoirs is 185.6 billion cubic meters, protecting 660 million people, and the country has effectively managed severe droughts in major river basins [2]. Water Resource Allocation - 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 [3]. - The East and Middle Line of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has delivered over 83 billion cubic meters of water, benefiting 195 million people in 48 major cities [3]. Water Conservation and Efficiency - Water usage has achieved zero growth despite economic expansion, with water efficiency improving significantly; water consumption per unit of GDP and industrial output has decreased by 17.7% and 23.6% respectively compared to 2020 [4]. - The area of water-saving irrigation has reached 63.8 million acres, with the effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water increasing to 0.58 [4]. Agricultural Support and Rural Water Supply - The government has focused on modernizing irrigation systems and enhancing agricultural water efficiency, with over 2 million acres of irrigation area restored or improved [5]. - Rural water supply initiatives aim for a 96% coverage rate of tap water by the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan," implementing standardized construction and management models [5]. Ecological Restoration - The ecological environment of rivers and lakes has improved, with a 98.6% compliance rate for ecological flow standards in key rivers and lakes [7]. - The area affected by soil erosion on the Loess Plateau has been reduced by over half, with significant investments in soil conservation measures [8].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the improvement of water quality and ecological environments in rivers and lakes during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on the implementation of the river and lake chief system to enhance public access to clean water and beautiful landscapes [1] Group 1: Construction of Safe, Life, and Happy Rivers and Lakes - The water conservancy department is working on building safe, life, and happy rivers and lakes, aiming to provide citizens with more beautiful scenes of clear water and green banks [1] - The "Mother River Revival Action" has been implemented, which includes health evaluations of rivers and lakes, enhancing water system connectivity, and ecological replenishment [3] - A significant restoration of water areas has been achieved, with over 1,300 square kilometers of water surface area restored in major lakes such as Dongting Lake, Poyang Lake, Taihu Lake, Hongze Lake, and Honghu Lake [3] Group 2: Happy River and Lake Construction - Support has been provided for local implementation of 122 happy river and lake construction projects, resulting in the establishment of numerous unique happy rivers and lakes [5] - The transformation of good ecological water into "economic water" is accelerating [5] Group 3: Ecological Environment Improvements - The ecological environment of rivers and lakes has significantly improved, with several rivers that had been dry for decades, such as the Grand Canal and the Xiliao River, now fully flowing again [7] - The ecological flow compliance rate for key rivers and lakes has reached 98.6% [7]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Water Resources has reported significant progress in China's river restoration efforts, highlighting the successful implementation of the Mother River Revival Action Plan, which has led to the restoration of several historically dried-up rivers and improved ecological conditions across various water bodies [1] Group 1: River Restoration Achievements - The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, which had been dry for a century, and the West Liao River and Yongding River, which had been dry for 27 and 26 years respectively, have been fully restored [1] - The ecological flow compliance rate for key rivers and lakes has reached 98.6% [1] - A total of 140,000 issues related to "disorderly occupation, mining, dumping, and construction" have been addressed, resulting in noticeable improvements in the appearance of rivers and lakes [1] Group 2: Groundwater Recovery - In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei governance area, shallow and deep groundwater levels have increased by 3.29 meters and 7.67 meters respectively compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [1] - 102 previously dried-up springs have been restored [1] Group 3: Soil and Water Conservation - An estimated additional area of 340,000 square kilometers will undergo soil erosion control, with a soil conservation rate projected to reach 73% [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Ministry of Water Resources has reported significant progress in the implementation of the "Mother River Revival Action," highlighting the restoration of several rivers that had been dry for decades and improvements in ecological flow standards across key water bodies [1] Group 1: River Restoration - The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, which had been dry for a century, and the West Liao River and Yongding River, which had been dry for 27 and 26 years respectively, have been fully restored [1] - A total of 30 rivers in the Haihe River basin that were previously dry have resumed flow [1] Group 2: Ecological Improvements - The ecological flow compliance rate for key rivers and lakes has reached 98.6% [1] - The area of water and soil loss management is expected to increase by 340,000 square kilometers, with a soil conservation rate of 73% [1] Group 3: Groundwater Recovery - Shallow and deep groundwater levels in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei governance area have risen by 3.29 meters and 7.67 meters respectively compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [1] - 102 previously dry springs have been restored [1] Group 4: Environmental Management - The Ministry has addressed 140,000 issues related to "chaotic occupation, chaotic mining, chaotic dumping, and chaotic construction" in river and lake management [1]