The China-Europe Water Platform
The China-Europe Water Platform (CEWP) promotes water cooperation between Europe and China. The network embodies a global response to pressing water and climate challenges by promoting water policy dialogue, collaborative research and business development based on mutual interests and joint funding.
The Netherlands, represented by Rijkswaterstaat (part of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management), has been a member state of the CEWP since its establishment in 2012. Together with the European Commission (DG ENV and DG INT) and several other European member states, such Portugal, France, Sweden and Hungary, the Netherlands has been active in the CEWP on topics such as water and energy, water and business and water and urbanisation.
Regarding the latter topic, Rijkswaterstaat was the lead partner of the project China-Europe Cooperation on Sponge Cities (CECoSC), which was successfully concluded in 2022. Explorations for a follow-up to this project and a strategic continuation of the platform are ongoing.
Advancing European-Chinese cooperation: Rijkswaterstaat’s strategic priorities in water management
Of course, Rijkswaterstaat primarily cooperates with neighbouring countries, such as Germany and Belgium. It is with these countries that we share borders, waterways and highways, after all. But cooperation with countries like China and the United States are also high on Rijkswaterstaat’s priorities. That’s because China shares many similar challenges regarding water and climate change as we do.
And China, because of its sheer size and the speed at which innovations are being developed, is a fruitful testing ground for developing knowledge and gaining experience together, based on mutual interests and benefits.
Project period
The Sponge Cities project was completed in 2022, but the platform has been extended for another 4 years, until 2026.
European programme
The EU Partnership Initiative Programme is a broad, large-scale programme aimed at the EU’s neighbouring countries and emerging economies. The programme is providing 7 million euros for the CEWP work programme.
Project website
Partners
Rijkswaterstaat leads a European consortium that includes Danish, Swedish and Finnish (governmental) institutions under an EU contract. As part of the grant contract with the EU, contracts have also been concluded with knowledge institutions (Deltares and IHE for the Netherlands) and agreements have been drawn up with European cities (Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Turku).
In China, there is direct cooperation with Beijing Water Authority, the Chinese Academy of Urban Planning and Design and the Changde municipality. The Chinese Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development bear ultimate responsibility.