A new perspective on water governance in China: Captain of the River

Abstract

Although formal law plays an increasing role in water governance in China, the political arena has a large influence upon it. This article seeks to provide a new perspective to understand water governance and what role formal laws play during China’s transition phase through the lens of the ‘Captain of the River’, a newly developed water governance instrument in China.

Keywords:

• water governance
• politics
• objective responsibility
• China

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Professor Marleen van Rijswick, Dr Andrea Keessen, Professor Patricia Wouters, Professor James E. Nickum, members of the CIWL team (Xiamen University), and two anonymous reviewers who together supported the author in many ways to allow her continued study of water law.