Abstract: Xinjiang is located at the arid climate zone. Water resources are the vital basis for the economy, society and environment development. Although the great achievements has been obtained, the problems are also serious in water resources development and utilization. The main problems are the river interruption, lake shrinking, downstream ecosystem degradation, desertification enlargement and soil salinization oweing to the irrational water use and the weak integrated water management. These problems have become the barrier in the regional sustainable development.
Therefore, four strategic countermeasures are proposes in order to achieve the sustainable use of water resources in Xinjiang. Firstly the sustainable development strategy should be implemented in water development, utilization and management. Secondly the sustainable water projects should be constructed in order to save water, utilize water resources in more effective ways and preserve ecosystems. The measures include to build mountain reservoirs, implement inter-basin water diversion project and reconstruct irrigation project. Thirdly the integrated water management should be implemented with the perfect water legislation, policy-making and master water development and utilization planning at river basin scale and administrative district scale. Fourthly the water- saving production and water-saving society should be developed and built through the appropriate and effective administrative, technical and economical measures in irrigation, industry and domestic water use.

Key words: Xinjiang, Water Resources, Sustainable Use, Countermeasures