Water Law

Water Law of the People’s Republic of China
中华人民共和国水法

[Available Text: Chinese (current) | English (v. 2002)]

(adopted Jan. 21, 1988, effective July 1, 1988; revised Aug. 29, 2002, effective Oct. 1, 2002; amended and effective Aug. 27, 2009; amended and effective July 2, 2016)

• Status: Revision pending
• Legislative Body (Vote): NPCSC (TBD)
• Principal Drafter: Ministry of Water Resources
• Submitter: State Council
• Legislative Plans
  • Five-year: 14^th NPCSC Category II
  • Annual: 2025 (backup)
• Legislative History & Text
  • NPCSC deliberation – round #1: Apr. 27–30, 2026 (Chinese only 🆚) 💬
    • 🔔 Public consultation: Apr. 30–May 29, 2026
  • State Council public consultation: Sept. 1–30, 2024 (Chinese only)
• Legislative Records
  • Explanation (Apr. 27, 2026)
  • Report on Status of Revision (pending)
  • Report on Results of Deliberation (pending)
  • Report on Suggestions for Revision (pending)
  • Presidential Order (pending)

NPC Observer Coverage

• NPCSC Session Watch: Prison Administration, Social Welfare, Defense Mobilization, State-Owned Enterprise Assets, Water Resources & Agriculture (Apr. 22, 2026)

Last updated: April 30, 2026, 23:17 EDT