Reflections on strengthening the construction of happy rivers and lakes in advancing river protection and governance

LI Yunling; YUAN Yong; XU Zhen

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-1123.2025.14.005

Abstract：Rivers and lakes serve multiple functions such as flood discharge and storage,resource provision,ecological support,and cultural inheritance,providing a vital foundation for human societal development.Promoting the construction of happy rivers and lakes is a necessary requirement for strengthening the protection and governance of water bodies,ensuring the sustainable use of river and lake functions,and advancing the modernization of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.Based on an analysis of the evolution of human-water relationships,this study explains the importance of constructing happy rivers and lakes,emphasizing the need to adhere to the principles of putting people first,respecting natural laws,pursuing systematic governance,and promoting reform and innovation.Given that the construction of happy rivers and lakes is a systematic,complex,and long-term task,six key relationships must be properly coordinated:between humans and rivers/lakes,between unity and diversity,between short-term engineering treatment and long-term management mechanisms,between task implementation and public perception,between government and society,and between demonstration and generalization.In addition,five supporting systems should be established:engineering systems,institutional systems,monitoring and early warning systems,standard and norm systems,and organizational responsibility systems.These efforts aim to enhance the quality and effectiveness of happy rivers and lakes construction,thereby supporting the improvement of people's well-being and laying a solid foundation for the long-term development of the Chinese nation.