The study looked at how China uses and manages its water resources from 2002 to 2012. They found that China's total water footprint, which includes both clean (blue) water and polluted (grey) water, decreased overall during this time, except for a big increase in 2010. Agriculture used the most clean water, while industries like services and food processing were big users of polluted water. The researchers also discovered that China mainly used its own water for making products for its own people but also sent virtual water (used to make products) to other countries, which added pressure to China's water resources.