Discussing Water Cooperation and Promoting Water Security Together

The third Asian International Water Week was recently held in Beijing, with nearly 600 International representatives from 70 countries and regions, more than 20 international organizations and water related institutions, as well as about 700 domestic water industry professionals attending the conference. The attending parties exchanged, discussed, and collaborated on the theme of "jointly promoting future water security".

China's achievements in water management have won praise from foreign representatives. Chang Qide, the coordinator of the United Nations Development System in China, said, "China's tremendous achievements in water governance are achieved in accordance with the principles of water resource protection, balanced development, and sustainable development, and are worthy of global reference

In recent years, China has adhered to the water conservation priority, spatial balance, systematic governance, and dual pronged approach to water management, comprehensively enhancing its ability to coordinate water resources allocation, water supply guarantee, and strategic reserve, effectively ensuring water supply safety. Data shows that in the past 10 years, China's total water consumption has achieved "zero growth" despite nearly doubling its gross domestic product. China accounts for 6% of the world's freshwater resources, ensuring access to water for nearly 20% of the global population and generating over 18% of the global economy.

China's experience in water management is popular overseas. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry of Timor Leste, Dakerus, stated that Timor Leste has conducted preliminary research on 15 rivers across the country and is currently working on dam site selection. China has sent technical experts to Timor Leste to investigate possible dam sites. We believe that Chinese technical experts have collected the necessary information, and we look forward to their final report, "said Daclus. The dam is a critical infrastructure that, once completed, will provide much-needed water storage capacity for East Timor, supporting agricultural and household water needs.

At this year's Asia International Water Week, the Hydraulic elevator dam model on the booth of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research attracted attention. Hydraulic elevator dam is mainly suitable for river landscape, irrigation, and ecological water storage scenarios with a retention height of 1-5 meters. Currently, this kind of water retaining gate have been industrialized and widely used in countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, "said Li Kun, Senior Engineer at the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research.

Unity and cooperation are inevitable choices for addressing water security challenges. The Lancang Mekong Cooperation is a new type of sub regional cooperation mechanism jointly initiated and constructed by China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Borata, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Laos, said that the Lancang Mekong member countries have achieved numerous results in the field of water resources exchange: "We are very grateful for the rural water supply pilot cooperation carried out on the basis of this mechanism, which is like a beacon of hope

Abdullah Abdulkarim, Director of the Saudi Water Authority, said that international cooperation effectively promotes sustainable water resource management. "The deep cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China is an outstanding cooperation model. We have promoted the landing of research projects related to seawater desalination and the construction of efficient and large-scale water conservancy projects

We hope to resolve water disputes, especially cross-border water disputes, through international cooperation. Uzbekistan has closely cooperated with neighboring countries and relevant international organizations and achieved fruitful results, "said Hamrayev, Minister of Water Resources of Uzbekistan

All countries are actively exploring and seeking water management concepts and solutions that can be used for reference, "said Li Guoying, Minister of Water Resources. China has confidence and ability to continue to address water security challenges, and is also willing to share water management experience and solutions with countries around the world, including Asia.

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition