Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

 

On March 22, 2026, TLU delegation participated in a series of events commemorating “World Water Day” 2026. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Water Resources of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang provinces in Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China.

The Vietnamese delegation consists of Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Consul General of Vietnam in Nanning, alongside representatives from the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources and Environment of provinces bordering China’s Guangxi region. Joining the delegation were officials from key agencies specialized in water resource management, disaster prevention, and irrigation infrastructure, as well as representatives from the Vietnam Academy of Water Resources and Thuyloi University.

On the Chinese side, the event includes 500 delegates, including senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources, leaders of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, research institutes, and leading enterprises. The forum served as a platform for exchanging strategic ideas and showcasing cutting-edge achievements in water resources, irrigation, and disaster mitigation.

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

The Launch Ceremony of the 34th World Water Day in Nanning, China – a collaborative event between the Guangxi Water Resources Department and provincial authorities from Cao Bang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, and Tuyen Quang.

According to Mr. Xian hui, Vice Chairman of the People’s Government -cum- Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region said “the World Water Day anniversary is more than just a technical water resources activity; it carries profound political significance. It serves to thoroughly implement the key directives from the leadership of both Parties and nations. Furthermore, the event demonstrates a commitment to the conclusions reached during the early 2026 meeting between the Secretary of the Guangxi Regional Party Committee and the leaders of Vietnam’s bordering provinces. By deepening bilateral cooperation in the water sector, both sides are working together to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic importance”.

Speaking at the plenary session, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, Consul General of Vietnam in Nanning, expressed her deep gratitude to the People’s Government of Guangxi for their proactive coordination with Vietnamese authorities, research institutes, and universities to organize this meaningful event. She emphasized “This event is a vivid reference of how our local regions are actively turning the shared vision of our top leaders into reality by fostering more comprehensive and practical cooperation, moving toward a new chapter in the joint management and protection of our transboundary water resources”

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

Members of Thuyloi University delegation at the event: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering; Dr. Le Quang Tuan, Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Kim Chau, Deputy Head of the Department of River Engineering and Disaster Management

Within the program, Guangxi province also hosted an exhibition highlighting its achievements in water resources development, the establishment of disaster prevention legal frameworks, and advanced water-saving technologies for drought mitigation. The exhibition featured a rich variety of displays, including photographs, technical documents, physical scale models, and multimedia presentations. The effective advancements in green hydropower and state-of-the-art irrigation equipment underscored a promising outlook for broad cooperation among all parties in the water sector.

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

TLU delegates exploring the exhibition and fostering partnerships with the Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute and the Mekong-Lancang Water Resources Cooperation Center.

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

TLU Delegation and Prof. Dr. Liu Cunxiang, President of Guangxi Vocational College of Water Resources and Electric Power

Within the framework of the events, the Thuyloi University delegation, along with units from the Ministry and various provinces, was arranged by the Organizing Committee to conduct field visits to witness several advanced technologies in construction engineering and irrigation engineering featuring AI applications, such as construction and management of advanced irrigation systems applying AI technology by the Jiejairun (JJR) Company, industrial wastewater treatment and reuse technology by the Guangxi BOSSCO Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. Furthermore, the delegates visited the “Happy Rivers and Lakes” model on the Yung River (the section of the Yu River passing through Nanning City), and toured the infrastructure system on the Pinglu Canal. The canal, which connecting Pearl River system to the Gulf of Tonkin, accommodates 5,000-ton transport vessels to boost the economic development of Guangxi Province, and is considered a symbol of pride for the water resources industry in both China and Guangxi..

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

TLU delegation touring the industrial wastewater treatment plant at Guangxi BOSSCO Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd.

Strengthening cooperation on transboundary water resource management and protection through World Water Day 2026 event in Guangxi (China)

TLU delegation and Jiejairun (JJR) Company discuss AI-driven smart irrigation management.

The successful hosting of World Water Day 2026 in Guangxi serves as a forward-looking milestone, paving the way for expanded practical cooperation in disaster mitigation, integrated water resource management, environmental protection, and water science and technology. It further promotes talent development, water legislation, and enhanced mechanisms for transboundary water cooperation. Ultimately, this event reflects a spirit of close partnership aimed at sustainable development and improving the quality of life for the people of both Vietnam and China./.

Information and photos: TLU delegation in Guangxi.

The World Water Day 2026 (March 22) theme has designated “Water and Gender” by The United Nations , carrying the message “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.” This initiative highlights clean water and sanitation as fundamental human rights essential for promoting gender equality and sustainable development. By placing women and girls at the heart of water management and decision-making, water systems can better serve community needs, driving improvements in health, education, and economic growth. Ultimately, empowering women’s leadership is vital to accelerating Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring clean water and sanitation for all by 2030 – while fostering social equity and public well-being.

The Pinglu Canal (平陆运河) is the largest artificial canal project since the Grand Canal. Design details and construction progress, confirmed to be nearing completion, underscore the project’s massive scale. Starting from the Pingtang River mouth (平塘江口) in Xijin Reservoir (西津库区), the 134.2 km canal passes through Lingshan County and follows the Qin River into the Gulf of Tonkin. Designed to Class I standards for 5,000-ton vessels, the canal integrates shipping, irrigation, flood control, water supply, and ecological enhancement. As the first river-to-sea canal built since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the project involves a total investment of 72.73 billion RMB. Construction commenced in August 2022 and is scheduled for completion in September 2026.