The development process of water resources protection and utilization management practice in China is analyzed, which can be divided into three stages of passive management stage, active management stage and intelligent management stage. The basic concept, basic principle, basic theory, scientific meaning and implementation pattern of “basing four aspects on water resources” in water resources protection and utilization are put forward, and the systematic cognition of “basing four aspects on water resources” in water resources protection and utilization is formed in theory. Based on the five interrelated components of “what”, “what water”, “what to decide”, “how to decide” and “how to manage”, the key technology system of “basing four aspects on water resources” in water resources protection and utilization is put forward. The future development of technology and management innovation in “basing four aspects on water resources” in water resources protection and utilization in China is pointed out.