Beijing witnessed a landmark announcement at the National Water Conservation Work Conference held on January 5-6. Chinese Water Resources Minister Li Guoying revealed that in 2025, the country will complete investments exceeding 12.848 trillion yuan in water conservation projects. This marks the fourth consecutive year that such investments have surpassed the 10 trillion yuan threshold, underscoring China’s unwavering commitment to sustainable water management.
The minister highlighted the scale of the initiative, noting that by the end of 2025, China will have implemented 47,563 diverse water conservation projects. These efforts have generated 3.15 million jobs, providing a significant boost to employment while addressing critical infrastructure needs.
Beyond the national water network construction, local and national water conservation departments achieved remarkable progress in multiple areas. Flood and drought prevention measures were strengthened, ecological restoration of rivers and lakes advanced considerably, and the development of a digital twin water conservation system laid the groundwork for smarter, data-driven governance.
This sustained investment reflects China’s strategic vision for water security amid growing climate challenges. As urbanization accelerates and water demands intensify, these projects are pivotal in ensuring long-term resilience. Experts predict that the ripple effects will extend to agriculture, industry, and urban planning, fostering balanced development across the nation.
The conference served as a platform to review past achievements and outline future priorities. Minister Li emphasized integrating technology with traditional engineering to create a robust framework for water resource management. With these initiatives, China positions itself as a global leader in tackling water scarcity through proactive and large-scale interventions.