Irrigation has played an important role in ensuring China’s food security. Irrigation water productivity of China has increased from 0.2 kg m−3 in 1950s to 1.58 kg m−3 in 2013. RDI and APRI were developed and used widely in China to improve crop water use efficiency. Integrative water-saving approaches were successfully implemented to improve regional water productivity in Northwest China. Research and development in advanced technologies for high efficient water use will be the best approach to ensure food security in China.