As the selected pilot river for the MWR subproject under the Water Ecology Compensation project, a field visit to the East River (Dongjiang) was conducted between 22-27 March, attended by the Pearl River Hydraulic Research Institute (PRHRI), the Australian/Chinese expert team and the responsible PCO officer.
Based on the Terms of Reference that were agreed during the first visit last November, the main objectives of this study were to review data that had been collected, identify data gaps and, set out a work plan for further data collection. The Australian experts will now produce a benefit-cost analysis and a sensitivity analysis, incorporating water, environment, social and economic catchment data.
The first day provided counterpart teams the opportunity to brief each other on progress of data collection work and background of field sites to be visited in the following days. From 24-26 March, the group travelled from Guangzhou, the downstream of East River, all the way upstream to the headstream in Jiangxi Province. Visited sites included the Dongshen Water Supply Project (transfer water from East River to Hongkong), the Xinfengjiang Reservoir (downstream of East River), Fengshuba Reservoir (upstream of East River) and the headwater of East River.
The Australian experts were able to get some on-the-ground knowledge of the water allocation scheme up and running in the East River, water quality in different sections of the catchment, water consumption situation, water resources protection work ongoing, social and economic development situation in the catchment particularly in the upstream. Whereas the Chinese experts were exposed to some fresh approaches and ideas in the area of ecosystem assessment and payment for environmental services that have been adopted in Australia, which would benefit the current parallel work in China.
In the wrap-up meeting, more specific and interesting questions were generated from the Australian side and extensive discussions were held to address those concerns. Both sides believed that the field trip was exceptionally informed and productive, and expected the coming study tour to Australia to be of profound benefits in terms of mutual learning and experience sharing.
For the next steps, the counterpart teams will keep close touch on the data collection work and produce the required reports. Meanwhile, preparation of the Australian study tour now tentatively scheduled in early May will also proceed together with MWR and the General Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Planning (GIWP).