Chinese officials changed the weather to prevent rain falling on a parade to celebrate the Communist Party centenary, a Beijing university study has claimed.
The government is said to have laced clouds with chemicals to reduce air pollution and guarantee clear skies for 70,000 people attending the celebrations led by President Xion July 1. It induced rain the night before, helping to clear the air in Tiananmen Square, according to researchers at Tsinghua University.
According to a statement from the State Council, China will have a “developed weather modification system” by 2025, thanks to breakthroughs in fundamental research and key technologies, as well as improvements in “comprehensive prevention against safety risks.”
In the next five years, the total area covered by artificial rain or snowfall will reach 5.5 million sq km, while over 580,000 sq km (224,000 sq miles) will be covered by hail suppression technologies. The statement added that the program will help with disaster relief, agricultural production, emergency responses to forest and grassland fires, and dealing with unusually high temperatures or droughts.
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