Regulations on the Management and Protection of the Chuoer River to Xiliao River Water Diversion Project came into effect on Sept 1, marking the first time North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has issued local regulations dedicated to a single major infrastructure project.

The regulations, comprising 28 articles, set clear rules for project management, protection zones, water allocation, and operational safety.

The Chuoer River to Xiliao River Water Diversion Project, one of China's 172 key water conservation projects and part of the national water network, is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken in Inner Mongolia, with a total approved investment of 31.1 billion yuan ($4.33 billion).

Drawing water from the Chuoer River, a tributary of the Nenjiang River, it supplies eight counties and 10 industrial parks in Hinggan League and Tongliao city via a 391-kilometer main channel, with an average annual diversion of 436 million cubic meters. Construction began in 2019, with trial water delivery completed in June 2025.

As a cross-basin, long-distance diversion project with complex facilities such as the Wendegen Water Conservancy Hub, its management involves multiple government levels and sectors. Existing laws were insufficient to address challenges in facility protection, water allocation, and fee collection.

To ensure safe and efficient operation, the new regulation introduces several innovations:

A four-tier river and lake chief system from the regional to township levels to coordinate cross-regional management;

A basic water fee mechanism requiring local governments to pay fees on time, with overdue payments deducted during fiscal settlements;

A new water allocation mechanism balancing annual demand and supply while prioritizing local drinking water.

Officials said the regulation provides a strong legal and institutional framework to safeguard operations and maximize the project's benefits for eastern Inner Mongolia's sustainable development.