To facilitate the sustainable development of China’s water resources and strengthen the international exchanges and cooperation, GWP China Technical Advisory Committee (GWP China TAC) was established in November 2000 with the approval of the relevant government institutions. GWP Headquarters has defined GWP China as a Regional Water Partnership. Dr. Liang Ruiju was the first Chair, and since September of 2003 Dr. Dong Zheren has been the Chair of GWP China, and the former Minister of Water Resources Mr. Yang Zhenhuai has been the Honorary Chair.

In September of 2006, GWP China held the Partners Meeting, Adopted the Statutes of China Committee of Global Water Partnership, completing the transformation from a Regional TAC to a Regional Water Partnership and establishing the China Committee of Global Water Partnership. The first Council of GWP China was democratically elected, and Dr. Dong Zheren was elected as Chair. And established an ad hoc Technical Advisory Board of GWP China.

The Secretariat of GWP China is hosted by the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR) in Beijing.

Mission of GWP China

GWP China’s mission is, to promote Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in China, facilitate protection and sustainable development of water resources, adhere human-oriented principles and achieve harmonious co-existence between human and nature, popularize and facilitate the implementation of the Water Law of the People’s Republic of China, facilitate the exchanges and cooperation between sectors, organizations and societies involved in water resources management, promote broad public participation and dialogues, and enhance international exchanges and cooperation.

GWP China’s Partners and Provincial/River Basin Level Water Partnership

GWP China has established the formal partnership cooperation relationship with over 100 water-related institutions and organizations, including the government institutions, civil societies, research institutions and universities. Several provincial/river basin level partnerships were set up: GWP China Fujian was established in October 2002, GWP China Hebei in October 2003, GWP China Shaanxi in June 2004, and GWP China Yellow River in October 2005.

Main Activities of GWP China

GWP China provides a cross-sectoral and multi-disciplines neutral platform for dialogues and cooperation, in an effort to promote the sustainable development of water resources, ensure the sustainable socio-economic development and provide services to the whole society.

Since its establishment, GWP China has organized over 40 workshops, fora and high-level roundtable meetings within 7 years with the support of the related government institutions and the people of all circles, aiming to facilitate the implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management adapted to the situation in China, participated in the major events of water resources management in China and establish platform for the cross-sectoral exchanges and cooperation. These activities are ranged from the national to local levels, addressing key issues of water resources management, such as legislation, river basin management, water rights and water market, water price reform, poverty reduction, soil and water conservation, drinking water safety and the water-saving society building. There were over 40 provincial and ministerial level officials had attended meetings with speeches and had joined the discussions. These activities had been with the participation of the representatives of the ministries of water resources, agriculture, construction, land and natural Resources, communications, the environment protection, and forestry, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, associated with those from over 10 civil societies and international organizations such as Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society.

GWP China has submitted more than 10 advisory reports on policy issues to the related government institutions on hot issues of water management. Through publications, website, newspapers and other media, GWP China has disseminated the concept of IWRM and publicized the new Water Law widely, which have achieved obvious social effects and have been broadly accepted by the general public. GWP China has brought broad influence in the society and has been highly valued by GWP Headquarters.

GWP China has maintained close cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China and received operational guidance from the Ministry. The former Minister Wang Shucheng and current Minister Chen Lei have paid close attention consistently to GWP China, and quite many ministers and vice ministers had attended activities of GWP China. The good cooperation has also been maintained between GWP China and the related government institutions, social societies and the international organizations’ offices in China.

Main Activities