The purpose of these Regulations is to provide for the rational development, utilization and protection of water resources, as well as the prevention and control of water hazards in Hainan Special Economic Zone. These Regulations are formulated in accordance with the provisions of the Water Law of the People s Republic of China and with the integration of the actuality of Hainan. Water resources mentioned in these Regulations refer to ground water and surface water (art. 2). These Regulations are divided into 7 Chapters dealing with: general matters; development and utilization; administration of water use; protection of water, water bodies and water projects; flood prevention, flood fighting and drought fight; legal liabilities; and supplementary provisions.
In Hainan, the governments at county or above level shall be responsible for the administration of water resource in their administrative districts, the water resources development, utilizations and protection must be conducted in association with other administrations or departments concerned at various levels (art. 6); both overall plans and special plans have to be composed. A permit has to be obtained for drawing water directly from river and lake, or exploiting groundwater, some exceptions are listed in article 19.