China has recorded significant advancements in the protection and governance of its rivers, strengthening flood control, water supply security, and ecological resilience. A newly released report highlights that these achievements have laid a robust foundation for the country’s pursuit of high-quality economic development.
BEIJING, 21 November (Xinhua) — China has made historic strides in recent years in the protection and governance of its river systems. These developments are detailed in a report titled “Harnessing Rivers for National Development and Public Welfare: A Study of River Strategy in the New Era,” jointly published by the National High-End Think Tank under Xinhua News Agency and the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research affiliated with the Ministry of Water Resources.
According to the report, China has significantly enhanced its capacity in flood prevention, water supply, food security, and ecological security—thus providing a more solid underpinning for sustainable and high-quality economic and social development.
The ratio of flood-induced economic losses to gross domestic product (GDP) declined from 0.49 percent during the period 2005–2014 to 0.23 percent between 2015 and 2024.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, China’s GDP has nearly doubled, while its total water consumption has remained stable at just below 610 billion cubic meters. Water consumption per 10,000 yuan (approximately 1,411 USD) of GDP has fallen by 52 percent, and water use per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value has decreased by 63 percent.
Despite possessing only 6 percent of the world’s freshwater resources, China is home to roughly 20 percent of the global population and contributes more than 18 percent of global economic output.
The report also notes significant improvements in the conditions of China’s rivers and lakes. In particular, groundwater levels in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region rose by 8.46 meters by the end of September 2025 compared with 2018, marking a major reversal of long-term depletion trends.
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