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Types of Water Rights Systems in China: A Zoning Scheme Applied

Author

Listed:
  • Yuanyuan Sun

    (School of Economics, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan 250000, China)

  • Shaofeng Jia

    (Key Lab. of Water Cycle & Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
    Qinghai Key Laboratory of Basin Water Cycle and Ecology, Qinghai Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower, Xining 810000, China)

  • Ru Jia

    (China Program, The Nature Conservation, Beijing 100000, China)

  • Jesper Svensson

    (Department of Political Science, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden)

  • Aifeng Lv

    (Key Lab. of Water Cycle & Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China)

  • Wenbin Zhu

    (Key Lab. of Water Cycle & Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China)

  • Jianxu Liu

    (School of Economics, Shandong University of Finance and Economics, Jinan 250000, China)

Abstract

This article analyzes the appropriate types of water rights systems for different regions with varying water resource conditions in China. The most appropriate water rights systems for various zones were determined by comparing the value of influencing factors with corresponding thresholds in China’s second-class zones of water resources. It is shown that a riparian rights system under water withdrawals permission could be adopted in most regions of southern China. For most northern Chinese regions, the quantity proportional water rights systems should be adopted and further improved. In contrast to the implementation of a single quantity proportional water rights system, this paper innovatively proposes a zoning scheme for China’s water rights system. The appropriate type of water rights system can be identified according to the region’s specific water resource conditions. It can provide a scientific reference for the reform of water rights systems in China and other countries or regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuanyuan Sun & Shaofeng Jia & Ru Jia & Jesper Svensson & Aifeng Lv & Wenbin Zhu & Jianxu Liu, 2023. "Types of Water Rights Systems in China: A Zoning Scheme Applied," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16504-:d:1292907
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sikor, Thomas & He, Jun & Lestrelin, Guillaume, 2017. "Property Rights Regimes and Natural Resources: A Conceptual Analysis Revisited," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 337-349.
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    3. Edella Schlager & Elinor Ostrom, 1992. "Property-Rights Regimes and Natural Resources: A Conceptual Analysis," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 68(3), pages 249-262.
    4. Rosegrant, Mark W. & Binswanger, Hans P., 1994. "Markets in tradable water rights: Potential for efficiency gains in developing country water resource allocation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 22(11), pages 1613-1625, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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