Abstract
This study investigates the impacts of China's international trade on its water resources and uses between 2002 and 2007. The results show a significant increase in water use efficiency in most sectors, especially the manufacturing sectors. However, the total net virtual water exported increased by about 75%, from 39.0 × 109 m3 to 68.2 × 109 m3. The ratio of net virtual water exports to the total water resources of the country increased from 1.8% to 3.1%. In water-scarce North China, the ratio increased from 3.6% to 5.1%, which indicates a growing water resources pressure. The share of the net virtual water exports in the total water use in China increased from 7% to 12%. The results suggest that China's economic gains from intensifying international trade came with high costs regarding its water resources.
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