Introduction: achieving sustainable and adaptive fresh water management : Selective studies of international, European, Dutch and Chinese water law

China and Europe face serious water challenges. Europe has developed a comprehensive and adaptive legal framework for addressing water-related management issues. China continues to go forward with its water management schemes. While China and Europe may seem unlikely comparative settings, this special issue, a result of the cooperation between China International Water Law Programme (CIWL) of Xiamen University Law School and the Utrecht University Centre of Water, Oceans and Sustainability Law (UCWOSL), explores possible synergies and lessons learned.