According to China Water Risks, a Hong Kong -based non-profit think-tank on the subject, water moved from the sidelines into the spotlight in China 2012 and is expected to stay in 2013.

In an online report "2012 Review and 5 Trends in 2013"of 4 February 2013, the NGO says, "In China the tipping
point has come. Li Keqiang, China’s next Premier-to-be in March, said
that China’s limited water resources have become serious economic and
social development constraints; saving water and improving water-use
efficiency are priorities".

The 2012 Review highlights the following –

(1) Water remains a top priority for the Chinese government;
(2) More floods & droughts;
(3) Low levels of water in lakes and rivers and potential  diversions;
(4) Reputation at risk with more pressure from naming-&-shaming campaigns & public protests;
(5) Investors & Companies continue to play catch up

The 5 Trends in 2013 are –

(1) A pro-water government;
(2) Multi-pronged approach in managing water for agriculture;
(3) Energy security – no choice but to plow ahead with hydropower & fracking but tech could save us;
(4) Supply chains continue to be under fire; and
(5) More corporate action and financial institutions incorporating water risks into valuations.

According to World Economic Forum's Global Risks 2013 Report, Water Risk continues to stay in the top five global risks by Likelihood and Impact.

So the world water crisis looks critical, especially China. A stern warning is sounded in a report dated September 2012 by HSBC Global Research on Climate Change – "No water, no power – Is there enough water to fuel China’s power expansion?" Click here

Nevertheless, it appears from the Water Risk assessments that there is now a glimpse of hope as China's leadership, China's own NGOs and the private sector are all beginning to seize the moment.

The very active role China's NGOs are playing in addressing the country's water risks also testifies to the rapid development of China's civl society.