On February 26-27, 2022, NHRI organized a performance evaluation meeting online and onsite for the project of Key Technologies for Connectivity of River and Lake Systems and Water Security under the National Key R&D Program in the 13th Five-year Plan period. An expert panel, composed of technical and financial experts from Sun Yat-Sen University, Southeast University, Yellow River Conservancy Commission, Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute, Nanjing University, Tsinghua University, Chongqing University, Beijing Normal University and Hexing Certified Public Accountants, conducted the performance evaluation for the project subjects. NHRI Vice President DAI Jiqun made a speech at the meeting. More than 90 people attended the meeting, including the project leader and NHRI Vice President WU Shiqiang, subject leaders, technical backbones, and other relevant NHRI management staff.
Led by NHRI and comprised of 6 subjects, the project saw three and a half years of joint research participated by 10 well-known domestic institutions, including Hohai University, Wuhan University, Zhongshui Huaihe River Planning and Design Research Co., Ltd., Water Conservancy Development Research Center of Taihu Basin Authority, and MWR General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning and Design.
At the meeting, WU, the project leader, introduced the project overview and overall implementation, and then respective subject leaders made detailed reports on subject overview, implementation, major achievements and their application, and fund expenditure. The panel carefully reviewed relevant documents and considered, after inquiries and discussions, that the expected tasks and performance indicators had been achieved. The panel believed that each subject had done well in organization, management and talent training, and fund been used reasonably. It was considered that each subject had reached its expectations, thus contributing to the realization of overall project goals. It was unanimously agreed that all the subjects passed the performance evaluation.
The project, focusing on the scientific and technological needs for the connectivity of China's river and lake systems and water security, has revealed the patterns formation mechanism, connectivity driving mechanism and evolution law of river and lake system in typical areas in China, developed the evaluation-governance integrated techniques of water system connectivity for water security, compiled technical guidelines for water system connectivity evaluation. The techniques have been successfully applied in two pilot areas, i.e. Linyi, a city impacted by the East Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and Wuchengxiyu, a highly urbanized plain with water networks. The water security rate and water environment quality in the pilot areas have been significantly improved. A strategic framework proposal for the layout of a national modern water network has been put forward and adopted by the Ministry of Water Resources, China. The governance theory and technology system for the connectivity of river and lake systems have been developed, bringing with remarkable social, economic and ecological benefits, which will enjoy broad prospects for promotion and application.
