The concept and connotation of the strictest water resources protection and utilization system in the Yellow River Basin was systematically explained, the practical basis for its proposal was thoroughly analyzed, and the inherent relationship between the strictest water resources protection and utilization system in the Yellow River Basin and the high-quality development of the basin was analyzed in detail. The research framework for the strictest water resources protection and utilization system in the Yellow River Basin was constructed from the perspectives of development ideas, development principles, development concepts, development goals, and institutional systems, comprehensively presenting and elaborating on its core content. By analyzing the differences between the strictest water resources management system and the strictest water resources protection and utilization system, implementation paths for optimizing water resources management in the Yellow River Basin in the future are proposed from the aspects of refining the implementation of the“basing four aspects on water resources”, strengthening legal guarantees, deepening water conservancy reform, promoting technological innovation, and improving water conservancy infrastructure. Keywords: water resources protection; water resources management; strictest water resources protection and utilization system; ecological civilization construction; the Yellow River Basin 〖FL