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Article analysis:

The article "Global spatio-temporal change assessment in interregional water stress footprint in China by a high resolution MRIO model" provides an analysis of China's water stress footprints (WSF) at a high resolution and multiple spatial and temporal scales. The study uses a high-resolution international MRIO model covering 31 Chinese provinces, 163 sectors, to analyze the impact of changes in China's interprovincial and international trade patterns on the WSF from 2012 to 2017.

The article highlights that China's water stress embodied in inter-provincial trade has increased year after year, exceeding 50% of the total domestic footprint. Domestic water stress transfer is most apparent in the outsourcing of water stress from eastern coastal regions to Central and Western regions, with the top interregional supply chain paths mainly associated with the demand for processed rice and tobacco products. The study also finds that China has transformed into a net exporter of water stress in 2017, with water stress exports to developing countries accounting for 54% of total exports.

While the study provides valuable insights into China's WSF at a high resolution and multiple spatial and temporal scales, it has some limitations. Firstly, the study does not consider the impact of climate change on China's WSF. Climate change can exacerbate water scarcity conditions, leading to more significant impacts on WSF than those reported in this study. Secondly, while the study identifies hotspots of WSF in individual nations or regions within the supply chain of China's sub-national administrative regions, it does not provide recommendations for mitigating these hotspots' impacts.

Moreover, while the study acknowledges that trade between China and developing countries has boosted bilateral economic development while exacerbating water stress in China, it does not explore possible solutions to mitigate this impact. Finally, while the study provides valuable insights into changes in WSF from 2012 to 2017, it does not consider recent developments or future projections.

In conclusion, while this study provides valuable insights into China's WSF at a high resolution and multiple spatial and temporal scales, it has some limitations that need to be addressed. Future studies should consider climate change impacts on WSF and provide recommendations for mitigating hotspots' impacts identified by this study. Additionally, future studies should explore possible solutions to mitigate trade-related impacts on WSF between China and developing countries.