Recent studies have shown that cryospheric melting is becoming the dominant factor responsible for sea level rise, and that the melt-water from mountain glaciers and ice caps has comprised the majority of the cryospheric contribution since 2003. Analysis of the estimations of cryospheric melt-water and precipitation in glacier regions indicated that the potential contribution of the cryosphere in China is 0.14 to 0.16 mm a⁻¹, of which approximately 0.12 mm a⁻¹ is from glaciers. The contribution of glaciers in the outflow river basins is about 0.07 mm a⁻¹, accounting for 6.4% of the total from global glaciers and ice caps.

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