The Ministry of Water Resources held a press conference to announce achievements in water resources technological innovation. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the ministry focused on major national strategies and the need for high-quality development in water resources. It approved and implemented 576 scientific research projects through various channels, continuously advancing fundamental research, applied basic research, and high-tech development in the water sector. A series of major breakthroughs were achieved.
Several innovations in water resources science and technology received national and ministerial-level scientific awards. Five achievements, including the "Theory and Practice of Water and Sediment Regulation in the Yellow River," were selected as part of the "20 Major Scientific and Technological Achievements in Ecological Civilization" commemorating the 20th anniversary of the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."
Technological capabilities in areas such as digital twin water systems, hydrological monitoring and forecasting, dam construction and operation, sediment transport and regulation, agricultural water-saving irrigation, joint operation of reservoir groups, and river and lake ecological restoration have reached internationally leading levels.
New models for scientific research, such as "unveiling the list and appointing the best" and "horse racing," were piloted and promoted. A responsibility system for major tasks was established, and evaluation mechanisms for water resources science and technology were improved to ensure the delivery of practical and effective outcomes.
Integrated efforts were made to advance education, science, and talent development. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 35 leading talents, 30 young scientific elites, and 150 outstanding young professionals in water resources were selected and trained. Support was provided for the establishment of 15 ministerial-level innovation teams and 20 talent training bases.
Two editions of the "Water Resources Technical Standard System Table" were revised and issued, significantly accelerating the formulation and revision of standards. The number of current effective water resources technical standards reached 774. International technical committees and working groups related to small hydropower, hydrology, and smart irrigation under the International Organization for Standardization were successfully established in China, leading the development of a number of international water-related standards.
Breakthroughs were made in water metrology, with the National Water Resources Metrology Station and the National Hydrology Metrology Station successively put into operation. Several national key laboratories related to water resources successfully completed restructuring, and eight national key laboratories were established under the ministry and partner universities.
A preliminary platform system for water resources technological innovation has been established, covering prototype observation, physical model testing, and mathematical model simulation. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 502 mature and applicable scientific and technological achievements in water resources were selected and released. Multiple technology companies strengthened research, development, and manufacturing in areas such as rainfall monitoring radar, water-saving irrigation, automated hydrological monitoring, and digital twin water systems, further highlighting the leading role of enterprises in water resources technological innovation.
Important international water-related events were fully utilized to conduct extensive scientific exchanges through platforms such as Belt and Road joint laboratories and international sci-tech cooperation bases. Three English-language academic journals overseen by the ministry were included in the Science Citation Index, serving as leading platforms for international academic exchange in related fields.