To actively implement “the Belt and Road Initiative”, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS) jointly selected and supported the establishment of five “CAS-TWAS Centres of Excellence” in 2013, one of which is the CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Water and Environment (CAS-TWAS CEWE) established based on the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The establishment of the CAS-TWAS CEWE is aimed to share achievements and experience of China in addressing problems in water safety and environment with countries along “the Belt and Road”. Through mutual support and joint pursuit of development, the CAS-TWAS CEWE is designed to make contributions to fulfil the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), respond to international scientific challenges and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

This year marks the 7th anniversary of the establishment of the CAS-TWAS CEWE. In the past seven years, in cooperation with CAS academic institutes, external academic institutes, and Chinese enterprises in environmental protection, the CAS-TWAS CEWE has built scientific and educational cooperation bases in countries along “the Belt and Road”, such as Sri Lanka, Iran, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt. The CAS-TWAS CEWE has been fully promoting scientific and technological cooperation for water and environment to benefit people’s livelihood, while training talents in research, management, and engineering technology for “the Belt and Road” countries.

In the collaboration between the CAS-TWAS CEWE and countries along “the Belt and Road” in the past seven years, countless stories should   be recorded and shared, which were about hardships, warmth or something strange but interesting, with different but touching plots. Therefore, the RCEES led the organization, compilation, and publication of the book Sweet Spring Water Benefits the World—Stories on “the Belt and Road”. The publication is thus an opportunity to promote concerted efforts of political, industrial, educational, and academic circles, steadily advance scientific and technological cooperation with countries along “the Belt and Road”, and make greater contributions to build a secure water environment along “the Belt and Road”.

Considering limited time for publication, your advice on the book is highly appreciated.

Authored by: Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS) and ANSO Association of Environmental Technology and Industry

Published by: China Environment Publishing Group