Developing river ethics: Advancing the understanding of water governance principles and promoting the modernization of water governance systems and capabilities

Abstract River ethics, a significant advancement inspired by Chinese President XI Jinping's ecological civilization thought, embodies the philosophical essence of river governance and represents a legacy of innovation by generations of water resources professionals. Rooted in river ecology, it offers a framework for advancing modern water governance systems and capabilities. This paper examines eight dimensions of river ethics to provide actionable recommendations: enhancing knowledge systems on water, rivers, and lakes; addressing critical challenges in water governance to strengthen the foundational role of water authorities in ensuring water security, resource management, ecological sustainability and environmental protection; optimizing water project planning to mitigate ecological impacts; ensuring high standards in the lifecycle management of water projects; refining water diversion strategies for precise scheduling; utilizing ecosystem complexity for river and lake restoration; implementing tiered management of water‐related disasters; and driving reforms to modernize water governance systems and mechanisms.