ABSTRACT
China is one of the countries with the largest number of transboundary rivers on the planet, ranking third together with Chile and second to Russia and Argentina. China's transboundary river policies and practices are not static but constantly evolving with the changing dynamics of the political economy. Economic development in China could be both a cause for worry and a source of hope in the realm of transboundary water management. On the one hand, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural development will further exacerbate the water scarcity situations in China, particularly in the country's arid north. When water issues intertwine with border disputes, more severe conflicts can be induced than the issues of water quantity. Limited communication on transboundary water issues between the relevant departments and ministries inevitably causes delayed responses and compromised decision-making. More importantly, subnational actors, particularly the provincial governments, are playing an increasingly important role in shaping China's overall relations with neighbouring countries.
