Abstract: Facing with new requirements and challenges, we discuss the key scientific and technological issues involved in the exploitation and protection of water resources in the Yangtze River basin. In the new development era, the exploitation and protection of water resources in the Yangtze River basin demands comprehensive and systematic management target and pattern. The key scientific and technological issues include: the coupling and driving mechanisms of four water problems under the background of climate change and human activities, the interactions among water environment, water resources exploitation and protection, and economic and social development, the multidimensional management and integrated protection technologies for four water problems, as well as the collaborative management system with multi-target and multi-stakeholder. We expound the above mentioned issues and conclude that such problems should be solved on theoretical, technological, and management levels. The research findings offer theoretical support for the Great Protection of the Yangtze River and the Development of Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Key words: water resources exploitation, Great Protection of the Yangtze River, Yangtze River Economic Belt, climate change, human activities, four water problems, Yangtze River basin