Special Rijkswaterstaat delegation visits China
A special delegation from Rijkswaterstaat visited China between 17 and 27 September 2024. The visit had 2 main goals.
One aim was to enhance the exchange of knowledge on water management and climate adaptation, focusing on dyke safety and flood and drought forecasting. The second goal was to strengthen European collaboration with China through the successful China Europe Water Platform (CEWP).
Challenging Journey
Typhoon Bebinca, which struck Shanghai just a day before the delegation’s arrival, underscored the need for international knowledge exchange on water management and climate adaptation. This was the most powerful storm to hit the area in 75 years. It led to adjusted travel schedules and delays, but also highlighted the increasing risks of extreme weather due to climate change and the ongoing work needed to address these challenges.
Fortunately, Shanghai sustained limited damage, and there were no fatalities. This illustrates how China effectively combines water safety with a vibrant, liveable environment in a major river delta city. Both countries have much to learn from each other.
Exchange of Knowledge
A large part of the visit centred on sharing knowledge crucial to Rijkswaterstaat, including dyke safety and flood and drought forecasting. The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) have been collaborating on water and climate adaptation under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for over 30 years. Since the first MoU, the collaboration has centred on sharing technical expertise.
The delegation visited Hohai University in Nanjing, a leading academic centre for dyke management and piping, a failure mechanism where water displacement undermines the dyke structure. Discussions also took place with the Huai River Commission and the Beijing Water Authority, focusing on forecasting floods and droughts and their impacts on river dykes.
Expanding European Collaboration with China
Rijkswaterstaat has been working with European and Chinese partners within the China Europe Water Platform, driven by the belief that European countries can achieve a stronger, more unified collaboration with China. In 2022, the China Europe Cooperation on Sponge Cities (CECoSC) project was successfully completed, offering valuable insights on designing urban areas to withstand extreme weather events. During the visit, opportunities for further collaboration were discussed, and new ideas were proposed.
Important Visitor
The delegation can look back on a successful visit that further cemented and deepened the collaborative relationship with China. China has much to offer Rijkswaterstaat, which is also respected as a valued knowledge partner, creating a balanced collaboration.
Shortly after the delegation returned to the Netherlands, Minister Li Guoying of China’s Ministry of Water Resources made a 2-day visit to the Netherlands. As part of his visit, he toured the Maeslantkering barrier and the locks at IJmuiden. Minister Li Guoying also met with Minister Madlener of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and they expressed their mutual appreciation for over 30 years of collaboration.