Progress in Planning and Programming of the Ministry of Water Resources in 2014

Department of Planning and Programming of the Ministry of Water Resources

In 2014, the work of the planning and programming emphasized key points and innovation. Great progress and significant achievements have been made in water resources planning, preparatory work of projects, investment plan, water sector reform and comprehensive statistics, etc.

1 Investment in Construction of Water Projects Has Reached a New Level

In 2014, the total investment in construction of water projects nationwide was RMB 488.1 billion (USD 78.73 billion), RMB 162.7 billion (USD 26.24 billion) of which was from the Central Government and RMB 325.4 billion (USD 52.48 billion) was from local governments with both of them reached a new high level. In terms of investment arrangement, more investment of the Central Government in water projects has been made for central and Western China and for the water projects of people's livelihood. The percentage of investment in central and Western China was 84% and that for the water projects of people's livelihood was 74%. According to the requirement of transformation of government functions, we have improved the management mode of investment plan, studied and put forward the guideline on further improvement of the management mode of investment plan for small and medium-sized water projects. Regarding the local projects such as improvement of small and medium-sized rivers, schistosomiasis control by means of water projects, the investment plan was made for each province which implements investment for specific water project. We have strengthened the implementation and supervision of investment plan, organized the comprehensive check on the implementation of the 2013 Central Government investment in water projects, and circulated the check results.

2 The Construction of Key Water Projects Has Been Accelerated

The 48th executive meeting of the State Council made decision and arrangement of the construction of 172 key water-saving and water supply projects. In association with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Water Resources formulated Task Division Scheme for accelerating Construction of Key Water Projects . Based on the scheme, we coordinated and ensured the funds for the construction of key water projects made efforts to increase government investment and optimize investment structure, innovated the investment and financing mechanism for water projects studied and formulated the implementation opinion and pilot work scheme on encouraging and guiding involvement of social capitals to be involved in the construction and operation of key water projects. By the end of 2014, 57 of 172 key water projects were under construction. The construction of 17 key water projects were started in 2014.

3 The Formulation of Planning for Key Water Projects Has Been Accelerated

The formulation of the 13th Five-Year Plan for the national water development has been started. The formulation of the key water issues and special planning for the 13th Five-Year Plan has been organized and carried out.The Preparatory Report on the National Water Development During the 13th Five-Year Plan has been finished. The key water projects and water works as well as important water policies that were due to be included in the 13th Five-Year Plan have been selected and submitted to the National Development and Reform Commission. In 2014, the Central Government approved 12 proposals on key water planning, including National Modern Irrigation Development Planning, Implementation Scheme for the National Drought Relief Planning (2014-2016), Construction Planning for Key Water Source Projects in Five Provinces in Southwestern China , etc. The National Groundwater Utilization and Protection Planning, and the Soil and Water Conservation Planning were at the stage of being submitted to the Central Government for approval. National Medium and Long-term Planning for water supply and demand, the estuary and seashore development and management planning as well as the water regime education planning have been finished. The national water resources protection planning, outline of water modernization planning, and water development planning in pastoral area are still in progress smoothly. Some special water management planning and reports, such as the coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, "the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road", solutions to key issues in agricultural environment, and the water resources utilization and water project construction, have been finished and submitted to the National Development and Reform Commission.

4 Further Consolidating the Basis for Water Planning and Programming More Solid

The management system for water planning and programming has been improved. 7 management regulations have been formulated and published. The water statistics has been strengthened. 15 contacting poins of grass-roots water service on county-level have been defined.