China accelerated its water infrastructure development in the first quarter of 2026, launching 15 major projects worth 147.5 billion yuan ($21.49 billion) and creating 670,000 jobs nationwide, according to Ministry of Water Resources data released this week.
The Qingyukou reservoir in Sichuan Province exemplifies this progress, now entering its second construction phase. When operational later this year, the multipurpose project will enhance flood control for 1.8 million residents, provide sustainable water access, and generate enough clean energy to power 50,000 households annually.
"We're on track to complete the dam's left bank infrastructure and key electromechanical installations by December," said Zhang Ming, project lead from China Railway 11th Bureau Group.
Private sector participation reached record levels with 43.4 billion yuan in social capital investments – a 16.4% year-on-year increase – supported by new public-private partnership models. Government funding remains strong, with 82.9 billion yuan in central investments already allocated for 2026 water projects.
Looking ahead, authorities plan to modernize historic irrigation systems like Sichuan's 2,300-year-old Dujiangyan while developing new high-efficiency farmland networks. These initiatives aim to strengthen food security and climate resilience across the country's agricultural heartlands.
