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One of the first thing I knew about the Dutch was ‘Go Dutch”. “Go Dutch” I understood in an English lesson means “share the bill”. I had always thought that it was a negative word until I came to the Netherlands andstarted working for the Dutch Water sector. I understand that “Go Dutch” makes the Dutch successful in winning land from water and protecting the people from flood and pollution.

The mentality of sharing the responsibilities and the cost is key of the Dutch success in water management. The Dutch Public Private Cooperation makes it possible that the innovation in water sector is stimulated, used and financed. By working together, the total integrated way of water management becomes the new insight.

“Go Dutch” is also becoming a trend for water management in the world. Not only the rich regions can import the Dutch water knowledge excellence from the internationally operating Dutch water sector, supported by international organizations like the World bank, the Dutch expertise is also shared all over the world to improve the water management for people who can not afford it.

Facing the serious water problems in all front, China will find its own way of “Go Dutch”. The up-coming Chinese economy and life quality puts more and more pressure on the Chinese water sector.Sharing responsibilities and cost can be the way to release the pressure.New ways of financing water management are alreadybeing explored.

The program of the Holland Water Week is a case of “Go Dutch” in a Chinese way. The Chinese and the Dutch will be side on side in the programs to show how it is possible working together for a better life with better Water in China.