Ministry of Water Resources: During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, with an average annual economic growth rate of 5.5% in China, the total water consumption nationwide achieved zero growth.

Chen Min, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, stated at a press conference at the State Council Information Office on September 29 that during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the water resources department will adhere to the principle of water conservation as a top priority. They will carefully plan and use water resources, manage water resources strictly and meticulously, and achieve zero growth in the total water consumption in the country, despite the average annual economic growth rate of 5.5%. In terms of careful planning and good use of water resources, water conservation is given top priority in terms of concepts, awareness, measures, etc. They are promoting water conservation actions in key industries, strengthening modernization and renovation of irrigation areas, implementing deep water-saving and water control measures in the Yellow River Basin, comprehensive water conservation in the receiving areas of the South-to-North Water Diversion Eastern and Central Routes projects, and further improving water use efficiency and benefits. By 2024, the water consumption per unit of GDP and water consumption per unit of industrial added value in the country have decreased by 17.7% and 23.6% respectively compared to 2020. The area of water-saving irrigation in the country has reached 638 million mu, the irrigation water use efficiency coefficient in farmland has increased to 0.58, and the unconventional water use has reached 251 billion cubic meters.