Monday marked World Water Day, and the beginning of the 23rd China Water Week. The UN has given this year's day the theme of "clean water for a healthy world", reflecting the significance of the resource to our existence.

China is one of the world's largest water-using nations and is considered by the UN as one of the 13 countries short of water. Its per capita water usage is a quarter lower than the world average. China's water supplies are expected to remain significantly lower than the global standard. The Ministry of Water Resources forecasts that China will reach the warning line of the world water shortage in 20 years.