Release of the English Version of China's Standards for Drinking Water Quality: Bridging Evidence and Global Health Equity.

To eliminate language barriers to international water cooperation, the official English language version of China's Standards for Drinking Water Quality (GB 5749-2022) was released in December 2025. Compiled under national translation specifications, this authoritative edition ensures accurate communication of content. A comparative analysis with international standards demonstrates that GB 5749-2022 balances global harmonization and localized adaptation in accordance with China's hydrogeological and public health conditions. The English version effectively eliminates technical ambiguities in transnational water projects and strengthens China's voice in global water governance. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including cross-lingual interpretations issues and gaps in the coverage of emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This article proposes optimizing interpretative documents, establishing dynamic updating mechanisms, constructing equitable cooperation platforms, and improving multi-dimensional evaluation systems. It aims to facilitate the global application of China's drinking water criteria, provide references for developing countries, and contribute to equitable global public health governance.