By: Li Qiang, Partner
On March 13, 2008, the General Office of the State Council promulgated the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Implementing Some Policies and Measures for Accelerating the Development of the Utility Sector. (No.11 [2008] of the General Office of the State Council) In this opinion, it is clearly stated that “The market-oriented reform of municipal public utilities may be promoted continuously and stably. The operations of water, heat and gas supply, public transportation, sewage disposal and waste disposal, etc. may be entrusted to private enterprises.” This article ended the long-lasting controversy of “whether China’s water market will continue to open up”.
China now is facing a very serious water shortage, and the water consumption and water demand between districts is uneven. As China’s water market keeps on opening up, it is believed that more and more investors will put their money on the exploration and utilization of water resources.