Core Viewpoint - During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China aims to achieve zero growth in total water consumption despite an average annual economic growth rate of 5.5% [1][2] Group 1: Water Resource Conservation Efforts - Emphasis on prioritizing water conservation across various aspects including awareness, measures, and resource management [1] - Key actions include promoting water-saving initiatives in critical industries, modernizing irrigation systems, and implementing comprehensive water-saving measures in the Yellow River basin and the South-to-North Water Diversion Project [1] - By 2024, water consumption per 10,000 RMB of GDP and per 10,000 RMB of industrial added value is expected to decrease by 17.7% and 23.6% respectively compared to 2020 [1] - The area of water-saving irrigation is projected to reach 6.38 million hectares, with an effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water in farmland increasing to 0.58 [1] - The volume of unconventional water utilization is anticipated to reach 25.1 billion cubic meters [1] Group 2: Strict Water Resource Management - Implementation of the strictest water resource management system and establishment of a rigid constraint mechanism for water resources [2] - Development of a comprehensive water-saving policy framework across agriculture, industry, and urban areas, transitioning water usage from extensive to intensive conservation [2] - Completion of water allocation for major inter-provincial river basins and establishment of groundwater control indicators for 31 provinces [2] - Creation of a national water usage quota system and strict management of water resource verification and extraction permits [2] - Promotion of a water-saving society with over 1,900 contract water-saving management projects and the release of 194 advanced and applicable water-saving technologies [2]

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" emphasizes high-quality water resource management, achieving zero growth in total water usage despite an average economic growth rate of 5.5% [1][2] Group 1: Water Resource Management Strategies - The water department prioritizes water conservation, implementing measures across various sectors to enhance water efficiency and effectiveness [1] - Key actions include modernizing irrigation systems, promoting deep water conservation in the Yellow River basin, and comprehensive water-saving initiatives in the South-to-North Water Diversion project areas [1] - By 2024, water usage per unit of GDP and industrial added value is expected to decrease by 17.7% and 23.6% respectively compared to 2020 [1] Group 2: Strict Water Resource Regulations - The implementation of the strictest water resource management system aims to establish a rigid constraint mechanism for water resources [2] - A comprehensive policy framework for water conservation has been developed across agriculture, industry, and urban areas, transitioning water usage from extensive to efficient [2] - The establishment of a national water quota system and strict management of water resource verification and extraction permits are key components of this strategy [2]