Against a background of rising geopolitical tensions and the disruption of commodity supply chains, Beijing’s efforts to maximise domestic food self-sufficiency underline the urgency of reducing such stress. In recent years, there has been evidence of significant progress in mitigating water pollution. By contrast, the more fundamental problem of water shortages has been less tractable.
The 2025 and 2030 water use targets of 670 billion cubic metres and 700 billion cubic metres, respectively, seem certain to be met.
Households and municipal services will eventually surpass industry to become the second-largest source of water demand.
China may use its control of the headwaters of major rivers for economic or political leverage over South and South-east Asian countries.
