Since 2022, annual investment in water infrastructure has consistently exceeded one trillion yuan, transforming major projects from blueprints into reality. The current capacity of approximately 95,000 reservoirs and dams now exceeds one trillion cubic meters, equivalent to the volume of over 70,000 West Lakes. This vast system acts as a crucial 'regulator' during flood and dry seasons.
To date, the first phase of the eastern and middle routes of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has transferred over 88 billion cubic meters of water, benefiting a population of 195 million across 48 major and medium-sized cities along its path. This year has seen the commencement of 17 major national water network projects, including the modernization of irrigation districts and key water diversion backbone projects.
A network of water diversion channels now traverses mountain ranges, and numerous dams stand across rivers, steadily strengthening the primary framework and main arteries of the national water network. The development of this network serves as a vital vehicle and lever for expanding domestic demand and stabilizing investment in the current and coming periods. It offers significant advantages, including the capacity to absorb substantial investment, a long industrial chain, and the creation of numerous jobs.
In 2025, China completed water conservancy construction investment amounting to 1284.8 billion yuan, marking the fourth consecutive year of investment exceeding one trillion yuan. During the '15th Five-Year Plan' period, the Ministry of Water Resources plans to organize and implement a series of major water conservancy projects. The focus will be on accelerating the construction of a modern water network, improving the water resource allocation and supply security system, and expediting the development of the national water network's main framework and arteries.
Efforts will also advance the high-quality development of follow-up projects for the South-to-North Water Diversion. Key goals include substantially completing the middle route's Yangtze-to-Han River water replenishment project, initiating the second phase of the eastern route, and implementing the modernization and renovation of irrigation districts to solidify the water infrastructure foundation for stable and increased grain production.
Experts note that many water network projects integrate functions such as transportation, ecological and environmental protection, and tourism, potentially driving the development of tourism and wellness industries and fostering new growth points through cultural and tourism integration. Furthermore, the construction process itself generates a large number of employment opportunities, absorbing significant labor and effectively promoting social employment.
