China's draft Water Law was submitted for third reading at the 25th meeting of
the 14th NPC Standing Committee on Nov. 2. The third-reading draft adds language
targeting the comprehensive enhancement of water-security capacity and
accelerating construction of a national water network described as
“system-complete, safe and reliable, intensive and efficient, green and
intelligent, with smooth circulation and orderly regulation.” The draft also
tightens water-resource planning rules, requiring plans to “coordinate domestic,
production and ecological water use,” establish public-participation and
expert-consultation mechanisms, and employ modern information technologies to
raise planning quality.
