By HOU LIQIANG | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-05-22

An English language publication showcasing President Xi Jinping's insights into water resources management was made public at the 4th High-level Seminar on Global Water Security on Tuesday in Bali, Indonesia.

The theme of this year's seminar, a flagship annual event co-hosted by the World Water Council and China's Ministry of Water Resources, was "Sharing China's latest policies and best practices for better water governance".

In the opening session, Li Guoying, minister of water resources; Loic Fauchon, president of the World Water Council; and Zhang Zhisheng, Chinese consul general in Denpasar, Indonesia, unveiled the publication, entitled Water Governance in China — Perspectives of Xi Jinping.

One of the important parts of the book discusses an innovative philosophy on water governance that Xi proposed in 2014, which focuses on "prioritizing water conservation, balancing spatial distribution, adopting systematic approaches and leveraging the roles of both government and market."

Basuki Hadimuljono, Indonesia's minister of public works and public housing; Nizar Baraka, Morocco's minister of equipment and water; and Abdelmonem Belati, Tunisia's minister of agriculture, water resources and fisheries, were among the first international readers of the book.

Addressing the event, Li pointed out that guided by Xi's principles, China has made historic strides and significant improvements in water governance.

With only 6 percent of the world's freshwater resources, China has successfully ensured food and water security for nearly 20 percent of the world's population and has contributed to more than 18 percent of its GDP, he noted.

Fauchon highlighted China's significant contributions in ensuring water security and expressed his willingness to step up water cooperation between the World Water Council and China.

Attended by nearly 200 experts and representatives from international water-related organizations and countries, the seminar was held on the sidelines of the ongoing 10th World Water Forum, which will run until Saturday.

Benedito Braga, the honorary president of the World Water Council, praised China's enduring commitment to sharing its extensive knowledge and experiences in water resources management with the global community during an interview at the 10th World Water Forum.

Braga said China's altruism is evident at this water forum, where the book is being unveiled to professionals in the field.

Reflecting on the three-decade collaboration between China and the WWC, Braga emphasized China's active engagement on the international stage and highlighted its remarkable accomplishments in water management. He cited the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and the Three Gorges Dam as prime examples.

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, which transfers water from the Yangtze River to northern China, involved substantial infrastructure investment and costs but yielded significant benefits, Braga noted. He also pointed to the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydropower project, which plays a crucial role in controlling the frequent flooding in southern China.

"Through these meetings and the forum, your experiences are being shared with other countries around the world," Braga said.

(Source: China Daily)