The High-Level Roundtable on Water Resources Management System Development in China was organized by GWP China on April 20, 2012, in Beijing. The meeting aimed at establishing water management mechanisms with well-defined duties, rights and responsibilities, coordination mechanisms for the development of river basins, and facilitating stricter and better water management through the integrated water resources management approach.

Participants at the High-Level Roundtable on Water Resources Management System Development in China, organised in April 2012 by GWP China, discussed the setting up of a water resources management system with well-defined duties, rights and responsibilities, standard and collaborative operations, and coordination mechanisms for river basin and regional development, using the IWRM approach.

Setting up of institutional mechanisms, legal status issues, and developing biological monitoring standards, were discussed at a workshop on monitoring and assessment methods for river and lake health, organized by GWP China on January 13, 2012, in Beijing.

Experts on water, urban construction, science and technology, forestry and agriculture agreed at a recent meeting that plans for an urban water environment should focus on the optimal allocation of water resources, be adequately funded and have an operational management system. Such a system must also play a functional role in flood control.

Following the central government's policy document on Reform and Development in the Water Sector in early 2011, water resources management has become the top government priority at all levels in China.

The protection of the water resources of the Yellow River Basin, emergency response to environmental pollution and case studies of emergency response to water pollution in other countries were the main topics at a workshop on Water Resources Protection and Emergency Response Mechanisms to Water Pollution of the Yellow River.

GWP China-Fujian, with support from the Fujian Provincial Water Resources Department, carried out a survey on water resources, including rural drinking water safety. The purpose of the investigation was to ensure an integrated and sustainable approach to water resources management for the planned construction of an economic zone.

Participants at the Fourth Yangtze River Forum April 18-19, 2011 in Nanjing discussed the development, management and protection of the Yangtze River. The theme of the Forum, “Yangtze River and regional development”, was jointly initiated by GWP China and organizations.

Building resilience through improved water management to better prepare for the impact of climate change is the best short-term strategy to combat the effects of climate change on water-related sectors of the national economy.

Dongting Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in China and its basin is home to nearly 12 million people. Due to overuse, silting, sedimentation and decreasing inflows from the Yangtze River during the dry season, the environment is deteriorating, water shortages are more frequent and wetlands are shrinking.