Water conservancy projects in China: Achievements, challenges and way forward

► China's water conservancy projects have brought tremendous benefits, but also posed many ecological, environmental, and social problems. ► The development of water conservancy projects has been predominated by the central government's ideology towards water conservation. ► The Central Document No. 1 of 2011 is an important milestone in China's water development. ► China's future water conservancy requires paradigm shifts.