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The strictest water resources management (SWRM) policy is an important policy to promote the rational use of water resources and sustainable water development in China. An evaluation of the SWRM policy is conducive to the SWRM's optimization and water governance. The S-CAD (Subjectivity – Consistency, Adequacy, Dependency) method is used to assess the implementation effect and formulation of the SWRM policy. The results show that the SWRM policy has a clear logic, goals, and strategy; the goals reflect the government's policy stands and the policy goals can be fully realized through the implementation process. In addition, the SWRM policy's effect is high, which helps solve the challenges of maintaining water resources, the water environment, and water security in China, and has a positive impact on water use efficiency. This study enriches the knowledge body of water policy evaluation and water governance both in China and across the world

Policy intervention is a critical measure to address water resources challenges and improve water governance capacity. The strictest water resources management (SWRM) policy is an important water policy system that aims to deal with water shortage, water pollution, and institutional dysfunction in China. This study conducts a quantitative analysis for policy text characteristics of the SWRM through the methods of text mining and content analysis. First, we construct an analytical framework with the combination of policy instruments and policy targets, and then code and classify policy instruments in policy text and conduct statistical analysis. Finally, the research conclusions and policy suggestions are put forward. The results show that major policy instruments are structurally imbalanced in China’s SWRM policy. China’s government prefers to issue a mandatory, standardized, and restrictive policies in water resources management. Most of the policy instruments are focused on institutional management, followed by resources allocation, technological progress, and the ecological environment. This study contributes to the knowledge body of water policy evaluation and water governance, provides decision-making references for optimizing and promoting China’s water resources management policy, and offers a peer reference for water governance in other developing countries.