This photo shows copies of the think tank report titled "Harnessing Rivers for National Prosperity, Public Wellbeing -- A Study on the New Era River Strategy." The report was released on Friday by the National High-Level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency, and China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research under the Ministry of Water Resources, in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- China has made historic achievements in river protection and governance as the country pursues a river strategy in the new era which is centered on the principle of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, according to a think tank report released on Friday.

The report, titled "Harnessing Rivers for National Prosperity, Public Wellbeing -- A Study on the New Era River Strategy," was released by the National High-Level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency, and China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research under the Ministry of Water Resources.

BOLSTERING HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT

China's historic progress in river protection and governance has significantly bolstered flood control, water supply, food security, and ecological safety, laying a more robust foundation for high-quality economic and social development, the report said.

Adhering to the principle of "prioritizing water conservation," China has fully implemented the national water-saving initiative and enforced rigid constraints on water resources, promoting a shift from extensive and inefficient water use toward conservation and efficiency, according to the report.

In the past, some regions pursued economic growth blindly, resulting in the direct discharge of large volumes of wastewater. This disrupted the ecological balance of rivers and lakes, and water pollution became a widespread issue across many basins, the report noted.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, while China's GDP has nearly doubled, its total water consumption has remained stable at under 610 billion cubic meters. Water use per 10,000 yuan (about 1,410 U.S. dollars) of GDP and per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value has dropped by 52 percent and 63 percent, respectively.

With just 6 percent of the world's freshwater resources, China sustains nearly 20 percent of the global population and generates over 18 percent of global economic output, the report said.

BUILDING A BEAUTIFUL CHINA

Embracing the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," China has advanced basin-wide ecological protection and governance.

To ensure the persistent clarity of water bodies, China has implemented severe measures to reduce emissions and control pollution, thereby driving a fundamental shift in water ecological protection, the report said.

The "battle for clear waters" has yielded solid results, with over 3,000 black and odorous water bodies in cities at and above the prefecture level being cleaned up.

In 2024, 90.4 percent of national surface water monitoring sections met good water quality standards. The main stem of the Yangtze River maintained Class II water quality for five consecutive years, and the Yellow River for three years.

As more rivers regain vitality and more river basins are rejuvenated, a robust ecological shield is being built, creating a powerful showcase for the vision of a Beautiful China, the report said.

CONTRIBUTING TO GLOBAL WATER CHALLENGE RESPONSE

As climate change accelerates, global water security faces mounting pressure, and river governance has become an ever more formidable challenge, according to the report, which called for closer international cooperation to address water scarcity.

According to data from the UN agencies, 2 billion people worldwide still lack access to safe drinking water, and between 2 billion and 3 billion people experience water shortages for at least a month each year.

Global water scarcity will intensify in the coming decades without stronger international cooperation, the report said, adding that the urban population facing water shortages is projected to rise from 930 million in 2016 to between 1.7 billion and 2.4 billion by 2050.

The report noted that China has accumulated extensive experience in major projects, innovative methods, and social management of water in recent years.

China has provided online and offline training for nearly 4,000 water professionals and government officials from 112 countries. It has also established five overseas technology transfer and capacity-building centers in Pakistan, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Serbia, and Senegal.

Over the years, China has carried out extensive cooperation with United Nations agencies in water resources, shared advances in global water-science research, and joined hands with countries and regions worldwide to address growing water challenges, the report said, adding that the country will continue to take concrete steps to advance water-related goals under the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ■

Harnessing Rivers for National Prosperity, Public Wellbeing -- A Study on the New Era River Strategy

Guests read the think tank report "Harnessing Rivers for National Prosperity, Public Wellbeing -- A Study on the New Era River Strategy" during the 2025 Yangtze Culture Forum in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 21, 2025. The report was released on Friday by the National High-Level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency, and China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research under the Ministry of Water Resources, in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

This photo shows a copy of the think tank report "Harnessing Rivers for National Prosperity, Public Wellbeing -- A Study on the New Era River Strategy." The report was released on Friday by the National High-Level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency, and China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research under the Ministry of Water Resources, in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)