China has established the world’s largest and most comprehensive water infrastructure network, now covering more than 80 percent of its land area, according to an announcement by the country’s Ministry of Water Resources on World Water Day.
The vast system is designed to support water distribution, flood control, and ecological protection across the country, marking a major milestone in China’s long-term water security strategy. Officials said the network reflects a shift from reactive water management to a more proactive and strategic approach aligned with national development goals.
Across rural areas, the expansion of water infrastructure has significantly improved access to clean water. Authorities reported that nearly 83,000 rural water supply projects have been completed, benefiting around 495 million people. Rural tap water coverage has reached 96 percent, while large-scale water supply systems now serve more than 70 percent of the rural population.
China’s extensive network of reservoirs and dams also continues to expand. The country now has approximately 95,000 reservoirs, with a total storage capacity exceeding one trillion cubic meters making it the global leader in both the number and diversity of such structures.
Despite rapid economic growth and rising agricultural output, China has managed to maintain its annual water consumption below 610 billion cubic meters, highlighting improvements in water-use efficiency. Officials say conservation efforts have evolved into a central national priority, supporting sustainable development and modernization.
One of the most significant components of the system is the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, which channels water from the country’s wetter southern regions to its drier north. Since its initial phases became operational, the project has diverted more than 87 billion cubic meters of water, benefiting nearly 200 million people.
The country has also strengthened its agricultural water systems. During the 2021–2025 period, more than 53 million mu (about 3.5 million hectares) of irrigated farmland were added, bringing the total irrigated area to over 1.09 billion mu. This land now accounts for more than 80 percent of China’s total grain production, reinforcing food security.
Environmental restoration is another key focus. Since 2022, China has implemented revitalisation programmes across dozens of rivers and lakes, with tailored conservation strategies helping revive previously dried waterways and restore shrinking lakes. Ecological improvements have also been recorded in major basins such as the Yangtze River, where long-term conservation measures, including fishing bans and water regulation experiments, have supported aquatic biodiversity recovery.
In a move toward digital governance, China has integrated advanced technologies into its water management systems. More than 26 million water-related entities including rivers, lakes, and hydraulic structures have been digitised to create a “digital twin” network. This system combines satellite data, radar monitoring, and hydrological models to provide real-time forecasting, early warnings, and simulation capabilities.
Officials say the digital platform has already played a critical role in managing floods, securing water supply, and improving seasonal water distribution. Future plans include further enhancing this system to support key economic regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Experts view China’s expanding water infrastructure as a significant step toward addressing the growing challenges of climate variability, urbanisation, and resource management. By combining large-scale engineering with digital innovation, the country is positioning itself to better manage water resources in an increasingly uncertain climate future.