High-Quality Implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan: Shanxi’s Water Conservancy Achieves Three Landmark Milestones

Shanxi Province faces a dual challenge of coal abundance and water scarcity, compounded by resource and engineering constraints. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Shanxi Provincial Department of Water Resources has vigorously promoted high-quality development in water conservancy. On December 3, Information Office of Shanxi Provincial Government held a briefing to announce key achievements.

In 2024, Shanxi earned its first “Excellent” rating in the State Council’s strictest water resources management assessment. During the 14th Five-Year period, Shanxi invested 98.6 billion yuan in water projects, 73.3% higher than the 13th Five-Year Plan. Investment continued strong in 2023 and 2024, with 21 billion yuan completed by November this year, up 13.5% year-on-year.

Gong Mengjian, Director General of the Shanxi Provincial Department of Water Resources, highlighted three landmark accomplishments: the launch of the Yellow River Ancient Water Conservancy Project after 70 years of studies; the stable restoration of the Jinci Spring’s flow after 30 years of dryness, reviving its historic “emerald waters”; and the formation of Shanxi’s modern water network backbone, featuring “three verticals, nine horizontals, and connectivity of eight rivers.”

Karst springs, key indicators of groundwater health, now show stable flow at 19 major sites province-wide. Jinci Spring, dry since 1994, resumed flow on May 14, 2023, and has sustained 458 days of continuous flow with water levels rising 1.9 meters above the spring mouth. This marks a major success in groundwater over-extraction control in Shanxi and northern China.

Zhang Jianlong, Deputy Director General, noted this year’s first-ever continuous summer flow and uninterrupted annual flow. Groundwater extraction in Taiyuan dropped from 451 million to 185 million cubic meters from 2020 to 2024, underpinning spring recovery. Key springs like Xin’an, Hongshan, Lancun, and Water Curtain Cave have all shown significant water level rises and renewed flows.

Shanxi’s modern water network accelerated during the 14th Five-Year Plan, establishing a system of vertical and horizontal corridors, river connectivity, seasonal regulation, and multi-source supply. It integrates with the national water grid and supports the Ancient Water Conservancy Project and its water allocation project—a mega irrigation district that will irrigate over 7.2 million mu, benefiting nearly 7 million people and easing southern Shanxi’s water shortage. Meanwhile, provincial-level water network projects have been expedited, with cumulative investments exceeding 13 billion yuan during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Du Yongmei, Deputy Director General, reported significant progress on key water diversion projects, including the central Xiaolangdi project, the northern branch of Wanjiazhai diversion, the southern Hutuo River connectivity, the integrated Taiyuan-Xinzhou Hutuo River connection, and the Yangquan Longhuakou water diversion project. The provincial pipeline network now exceeds 2,300 kilometers, covering 82% of the population—over 28 million people served.

Thanks to these efforts, Shanxi’s capacity for flood and drought control has improved markedly. Its 608 reservoirs hold a historic high of 2.068 billion cubic meters—50% above average—with large reservoirs up 61% year-on-year. This robust water supply safeguards agriculture, urban use, ecological needs, and Shanxi’s ongoing development.