As a country with one of the world’s most rapidly developing economies,China is home to wonderful opportunities for its people and the nation as a whole.An essential element for continued economic prosperity is a water supply of guaranteed quality and quantity,providing critical insurance for food safety,health,and political stability.However,China’s economic success has come with serious water resources problems,intensified by human activities and climate change.The nation is now facing extreme levels of water pollution,soil erosion,and sedimentation,along with floods,droughts,and urban storms.Taken together,these impacts have provided a serious headwind to socioeconomic development in China.This article discusses the problems and emerging opportunities for the coming generation of water scientists and engineers. As a country with one of the world’s most rapidly developing economies, China is home to wonderful opportunities for its people and the nation as a whole. An essential element for continued economic prosperity is a water supply of guaranteed quality and quantity, providing critical insurance for food safety, health, and political stability. Yet, China’s economic success has come with serious water resources problems, intensified by human activities and climate change. The nation is now facing extreme levels of water pollution, soil erosion, and sedimentation, along with floods , droughts, and urban storms. Together, these impacts have provided a serious headwind to socioeconomic development in China. This article discusses the problems and emerging opportunities for the coming generation of water scientists and engineers.