Tackling water issues with innovation

At the start of the year, after having weathered some devastating floods and droughts, China focused its attention on water governance. Investment in water infrastructure and management is now one of the most important commitments of the central government, which is reflected in its No 1 document this year. The document says 4 trillion yuan ($614 billion) will be invested in water infrastructure projects over the next decade, and the funds will come from central and local governments both.

The amount may appear huge, but some experts say the country needs another 3 trillion yuan, which may take another 10 years to realize.

Water has hogged the headlines in recent times with the drought in Shandong province threatening to be the worst in 200 years. And wheat production is likely to drop causing hardships for millions of people.