Abstract
This chapter deals with the legal aspects of the water rights system in China. It introduces the water rights system and its development, its challenges, and suggestions to improve the system. First, the development of the water rights system in China is briefly outlined. Then, the legal framework for this system, which consists of the Constitution of the PRC, the General Principles of Civil Law, the Property Rights Law, and the Water Law, is analyzed. The legally defined water rights are examined, including ownership rights, collective use rights, regional water rights, water abstraction rights, and water rights certificates and water tickets. Finally, current challenges are identified and suggestions to develop and improve the water rights system are proposed.
The chapter is based on Shen et al. (2020) Water use control system in China. International journal of water resources development, 36(4): 590–609; and WET (2006) Water entitlements and trading project (WET Phase I) final report.
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Shen, D. (2021). Water Rights System. In: Water Resources Management of the People’s Republic of China. Global Issues in Water Policy, vol 26. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61931-2_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61931-2_6
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