Overall ideas and key measures for water security safeguarding plan in Zhejiang Province during the 15th Five-Year Plan period

LI Rui

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-1123.2025.22.003

Abstract：Zhejiang Province serves as a crucial component of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Delta,as well as the junction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road,playing a vital role in China's socio-economic development.The water conservancy constitutes the cornerstone for supporting Zhejiang's high-quality economic and social development and its pilot demonstration zone for common prosperity.This paper systematically reviews the province's water achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan in flood-risk reduction,water resources allocation,happy rivers and lakes creation,rural water supply enhancement,and institutional reform.It then diagnoses the opportunities,challenges,and remaining gaps for the forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan.On this basis,the"1426"road map is proposed for Zhejiang's water security safeguarding:1 goal—taking the lead in provincial-level water-modernization;4 tasks—safeguarding water security,optimizing water allocation,restoring aquatic ecosystems,and advancing water-related culture;2 flagship programs—a modern water network that reinforces security and fosters development and a province-wide happy rivers-and-lakes initiative that improves livelihoods and supports common prosperity;6"every"aspirations—safe water for every citizen,resilient flood defense for every watershed,quality irrigation for every plot,healthy ecology for every river segment,cultural services for every reach,and modernized governance for every project.Three strategic measures,infrastructure upgrading,governance-capacity enhancement and sectoral innovation,will be implemented to raise water-security standards and thereby provide solid water support for Zhejiang's pursuit of Chinese modernization.