Abstract:The investigation on water issues of"the 4 Rivers and 4 Basins"(Ningxia-Inner Mongolia section of the Huanghe River,Shiyang River,Heihe River,Tarim River;and their basins) in the arid regions of Western China,the investigation focus on the historical background and the present condition of the upper,middle and lower reaches;including water resources,water-related disasters,water-supported ecology,water pollutions;water conservancy works,water-saving techniques,water-borne landscapes;water regimes,water economics,water ethics,water aesthetics.It is held that the water problems of these regions mainly do not result from natural factors but man-made ones.Based on the view of "ecological water conservancy",suggestions are proposed for the 8 aspects: the generalized water resource concept,water allocation for the natural ecosystem,economic structures and urban and township constructions in arid regions,restoration,conservation and creative utilization of natural ecosystem of the lower reaches of inland rivers,new directions of water-saving activities and techniques,new type of water conservancy works adaptable to the natural environment and ecology of arid regions,a perfect water regime,and man-made water diversion.