Abstract
The river chief system (RCS) has been innovatively implemented in Wuxi, China since 2007 for the eutrophication control of Tai Lake. In 2016, RCS was eventually promoted throughout China to reinforce river and lake protection. The success of this new river management system is generally attributed to collaboration, accountability, and differentiation effects. This research takes Foshan in the Pearl River Delta region as a case study to examine the feasibility and weaknesses in the implementation of the RCS. Prior to the formal adoption of RCS, a coordinating organization for river improvement undertaking was established in Foshan to overcome fragmentation in water management. Compared with this practice, the new RCS can strengthen the collaboration of administrative authorities and establish a considerably sophisticated and effective management structure. Emphasis on evaluation and accountability mechanisms guarantees that management goals can be achieved. However, similar to the previous one, the new system remains a temporary management practice and its outcomes depend partially on the commitment and capability of each river chief. The imperfect evaluation and accountability mechanism also weaken its long-term effectiveness in improving river water quality. Therefore, some corresponding policy instruments are needed to ensure that RCS can be implemented smoothly.
Highlights
China’s rapid social and economic development in the previous four decades has brought enormous prosperity and exploitation and pollution of the natural environment, serious water pollution
The National Report on Ecology and Environmental Quality of 2017 indicated that among the 1940 water quality monitoring sites established on 423 rivers and 62 lakes, 67.9% satisfied the standards for drinking water sources (Grades I–III); 23.8% met the lower standards (Grades IV–V) for general water use in industry, recreation, or agriculture; and 8.3% were of a quality considerably below
Among the 36 river cross-sections monitored in river chief system (RCS) in Qujing, Yunnan Province, the rate of satisfying the water quality goals increased from 78.9% in 2011
Summary
China’s rapid social and economic development in the previous four decades has brought enormous prosperity and exploitation and pollution of the natural environment, serious water pollution. Cook (2014) summarized four elements of governance patterns to determine whether they are cooperative, conflictual or reactive and whether the outcomes are innovative, stagnant, or piecemeal: An institution that facilitates coordination, agreement on roles and responsibilities, agreement on the issue management plan, and the scope of the issue [4] These factors are important concerns in analyzing whether a new policy instrument on water management can achieve its management goals efficiently and effectively. Given the effectiveness and success of RCS in river water quality management, this system has been approved by the central government and promoted throughout China in 2016 to reinforce river and lake protection In this sense, RCS can be considered a successful local-level innovation of policy instrument and its promotion follows a parallel, bottom–up and eventually top–down routine, which is similar to many local institutional innovations in post-reform China.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
