In this edition of Water Chat, Jesper Svensson interviews Professor Jia Shaofeng about the myths and realities of Beijing’s water supply and demand situation.

Interview Q&AHow has the natural hydrological cycle evolved over the last 70 years in Beijing? 2:39How has the nature of human demands for water evolved from 1949 until today? 4:47What have been the key transitions in science, technology and institutional factors for managing Beijing’s water systems the last 70 years? 11:15What political leaders and policy entrepreneurs drove the change? What drove them? 12:30What would you say are the most important misconceptions about the water reforms in Beijing and the North China Plain? 17:40Beijing rely on distant water transfers to meet their needs. What type of agreement governs the water reallocation from Shanxi and Hebei provinces to Beijing? 26:24What is the goal of the South to North Water Diversion Project to respond to Beijing’s water situation? 32:27So what about climate change? What is the effect of climate change on the natural hydrological cycle? 39:32What lessons can be learned from Beijing’s transitions to freshwater sustainability (1949-2019)? 43:00

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