Agricultural Water Transfers in China: Current Issues and Perspectives

Water transfers from agricultural to industrial or domestic uses are becoming increasingly common in China. Water conflicts can be partly considered as the consequence of water transfer failures. In this paper, data of water use in recent years were reviewed and cases of water transfers were presented. Current issues were analyzed and some measures were proposed for enhancing water use efficiency, productivity and equity. It ends with implications for regional water management strategies and policy reform. It is concluded that the decisions of water reallocation under water stress should be shared by all communities, especially the availability of the basic water need for all water use sectors.