Experts say various factors likely determined how – and where – flood waters were diverted, including the speed and intensity of the waters, reservoir levels and existing guidelines and regulations on flood management. And amid a lack of transparency from officials, it remains unclear exactly why decisions were made.

But in the case of Zhuozhou, which lies 30 miles upstream along the Baigou river from Xiong’an, repeated high-level calls to protect Xi’s dream city – and concern for how its defenses would stand up against heavy flood waters – may have played a role, experts say.

Preparing for the storms on July 20, China’s Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying ordered officials to make flood diversion plans to “keep the flood waters outside (Xiong’an’s) periphery and reduce the flood control pressure on its newly built embankments.”

Hongzhang Xu, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Australian National University, said it was “possible that authorities released water in Zhuozhou to pre-emptively ease pressures on Xiong’an, considering its new flood control infrastructure.”

Conserving bigger cities by sacrificing smaller ones and rural areas has long been a major flood management strategy in China and elsewhere, he added.

Fan Xiao, a Chinese geologist, said by holding up some of the flood waters in Zhuozhou, authorities were able to reduce the flood peak and delay its arrival downstream. “It mitigates the impact on Xiong’an,” he said.

Li Na, a water resources official in Hebei, admitted as much, telling state media “if it had not been for the two areas (in Zhuozhou) controlling flood waters, the pressure on flood control in downstream Xiong’an and Tianjin would be very heavy.”

Tianjin, a major port city of nearly 14 million, is where several of the region’s rivers release into the sea.

Some unfurled a red banner that read: “Give me back my home. The flood was caused by flood water discharge, not by heavy rainfall.”

CNN has reached out to the Zhuozhou and Bazhou governments for comment. Under Chinese law, residents of flood storage areas are entitled to compensation for 70% of housing damage.

Suggestions by officials that decisions about releasing flood waters into Zhuozhou and elsewhere in Hebei were made to minimize the impact on the capital Beijing, Xiong’an and the port city of Tianjin also caused a backlash.

In particular, Hebei’s party chief Ni Yuefeng angered some when he called the province a “moat” for Beijing. Censors later wiped his comments from the Chinese internet.

As heavy rains moved toward the region in late July, China’s top flood control officials met to hash out their response plan. Among their priorities was to keep the capital Beijing and Xiong’an “absolutely safe” – a demand repeated numerous times in the days to come.

The mountainous western outskirts of Beijing were hit first, as flash floods unleashed by the heaviest rains in 140 years washed away cars, bridges and roads.

Further downstream, officials had to make difficult decisions about how to manage the churning flood waters that gushed out of the mountains into the rivers snaking through cities, villages and farmlands on the plains of Hebei.

On July 30, the first of the decisions was made to discharge water into the “flood storage zones” – designated areas for the emergency overflow of flood waters, which were home to hundreds of thousands of people.

Zhuozhou, a city south of Beijing, took the worst hit, with streets, homes and neighborhoods inundated in meters of murky water. On social media, some residents claimed they did not receive advance warning, others said the evacuation notices arrived too late or did not explain how serious the situation was.

Flood waters also submerged villages and farmlands in Bazhou, another city in Hebei, where dozens of residents protested outside the city government’s offices to demand compensation, according to social media videos.

Posted by foongsh > 5 hours ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 57 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Worst Floods in China 2023: Railways, Bridges, Roads All Destroyed. China’s Tragedy Continues...

https://youtu.be/io2QuEGo6yo?si=739es-ZLhZglAgdE

Built so many white elephants without proper drainage system and retention ponds. Very pity

Building white elephants project without proper draiange system and retention were disaster. The future is AI techonolgy driving strong and solid alliance but no evil alliance.

Yes, the future is AI technology and not those white elephants project without proper draiange system and retention ponds.

Silly Xi will only know how to build white elephant Xiong Ann City known to plague the low-lying, marshy area, which is prone to flooding and drought.

Posted by foongsh > 10 hours ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 3 hours ago | Report Abuse

Russian lunar lander smashes into the moon

https://youtu.be/WI9OQVJ0Yws?si=-8ZeG0-YXdVOkMk4

Evil Putin & Russia is down.

Russia becomes 3rd world country.

Posted by foongsh > 10 hours ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 3 hours ago | Report Abuse

Worst Floods in China 2023: Railways, Bridges, Roads All Destroyed. China’s Tragedy Continues...

https://youtu.be/io2QuEGo6yo?si=739es-ZLhZglAgdE

Built so many white elephants without proper drainage system and retention ponds. Very pity

Building white elephants project without proper draiange system and retention were disaster. The future is AI techonolgy driving strong and solid alliance but no evil alliance.

Russian lunar lander smashes into the moon

https://youtu.be/WI9OQVJ0Yws?si=-8ZeG0-YXdVOkMk4

Worst Floods in China 2023: Railways, Bridges, Roads All Destroyed. China’s Tragedy Continues...

https://youtu.be/io2QuEGo6yo?si=739es-ZLhZglAgdE

Morgan Stanley Cuts China Stock Targets Again on Growth Risk
- MSCI China Index target trimmed by 14% to 60 for June 2024
- Cut is based on lower earnings expectation, valuations: MS

The Kremlin has doubled its 2023 defense spending target to more than $100 billion — a third of all public expenditure — a government document reviewed by Reuters showed.

Western sanctions have also depressed foreign investment in the country and knocked exports.

The drop in exports, combined with a jump in imports driven by strong domestic demand, has cheapened the ruble further, according to Russia’s central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina.

Russia’s ruble hits a 17-month low to the dollar as the Ukraine war bites

The ruble hit a 17-month low against the dollar Monday, highlighting the growing squeeze on Russia’s economy from Western sanctions and a slump in export revenues.

The Russian currency has lost nearly 40% of its value this year, weakening past 100 rubles to the dollar, as Moscow’s war in Ukraine takes a heavy toll.

The fall in the ruble’s value is one of several negative indicators for the Russian economy, even as President Vladimir Putin insists that Western sanctions are having a limited effect.

The currency collapsed in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, dropping as low as 136 to the dollar in March 2022. It then soared to around 50 rubles to the dollar in June last year, as oil and natural gas prices surged.

But European economies have since weaned themselves off Russian oil and gas, importing more from the United States, Canada and Norway instead.

That has strained the Russian government’s finances, which are also under pressure from a surge in spending to pay for the ongoing war.

“New Delhi is clear about not being part of the proposed BRICS currency as it sees it as China’s attempt to gain hegemony. But whether it will use its veto power to stop the attempt or allow other members to go ahead with their plans is a call that need not be taken immediately. It may take a long time for the plan to take a concrete shape because of the different levels of economic development of members,”

BRICS currency: India unlikely to endorse the move; may just ignore

India is unlikely to endorse a common BRICS currency, which is being envisaged by some as an alternative to the US dollar, as it fears that it would increase China’s dominance in the bloc and also further strengthen the yuan.

BRICS currency: India unlikely to endorse the move; may just ignore

India is unlikely to endorse a common BRICS currency, which is being envisaged by some as an alternative to the US dollar, as it fears that it would increase China’s dominance in the bloc and also further strengthen the yuan.

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 1 day ago | Report Abuse

No wonder Xi missing in action. Lol.

Xi never respect Africa to give important speech because BRICS has no concensus on what he wanted. Very disgusting a fake communist not joining CCP,

CCP is catching spy in qqq dream land, qqq does not know his ancient language and lost his own identity will be caught and missing in action by CCP fovever. CCP love US dollar and Western but hate english.

This might be the reason why Xi refused to give the speech in Brics. Brics talk only no action. Very loose organization/

Xi Jinping's translator slammed against wall by Brics security guards

https://youtu.be/IgSwqfeZm9w?si=1TeFbSFALQygz9A7

Ha ..... What a joke Xi translator embrassing CCP.

No wonder Xi missing in action. Lol.

China Tells Citizens to Leave Risky Areas in Nigeria, Africa

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing has urged Chinese citizens and firms working in Africa to leave risky areas in Nigeria, Congo and other parts of the African continent.

China calls on citizens to leave eastern Congo after attacks

BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday urged its citizens to leave three provinces in eastern Congo as violence intensifies in the mineral-rich region.

A posting from the Chinese Embassy in Kinshasa on the WeChat online messaging said a number of Chinese citizens had been attacked and kidnapped over the past month in the provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri, where several anti-government rebel groups have a presence.

China warns against travelling outside CAR capital after killings
The warning comes a day after armed men killed nine Chinese nationals in an attack on a mine near the town of Bambari.

Evacuation from Sudan: how China’s years of African conflict experience led to successful mission
Observers say Djibouti military base and lessons from Libya, Yemen and Ethiopia contributed to the operation
More than 1,300 Chinese nationals were evacuated on Thursday in an operation that included two PLA Navy vessels

Posted by foongsh > 2 hours ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 9 minutes ago | Report Abuse

USD/CNH - US Dollar Chinese Yuan Offshore

7.2913 +0.0106 (+0.15%)

I brics dollar how many RMB offshore ?

Brics talk only no action. Xi supposed to give speech but suddenly disappeared never respect the meeting. Killer Putin hide at home killing only.

Xi failed to give Brics key speech, it proved that Brics is not important to him.

Again, missing in action. Obviously Africa is not important to him.

The alleged landing came at a poignant moment, with Ukraine celebrating its independence from the Soviet Union on Thursday, August 24.

The intelligence service said the landing point was on the western tip of the Crimean Peninsula.

“Special units on watercraft landed on the shore in the area of the Olenivka and Mayak settlements,” HUR said.

Evil killer Putin is finished.

Ukraine says troops landed on Crimea in ‘special operation’

Ukraine’s navy and military intelligence carried out a “special operation” overnight with units landing in Crimea, officials have said.

A short and brief video posted on Thursday, along with a statement by the Defence Ministry intelligence service (HUR), showed a small motorboat moving through the water at night near a coastline.

Xi and Modi agree at Brics to prioritise de-escalation efforts at the Himalayan border

Brics very loose organisation even fighting amongst themselves, let them settle first then talk. Brics dollar ??? talk only

USD/CNH - US Dollar Chinese Yuan Offshore

7.2913 +0.0106 (+0.15%)

I brics dollar how many RMB offshore ?

Brics talk only no action. Xi supposed to give speech but suddenly disappeared never respect the meeting. Killer Putin hide at home killing only.

India becomes first nation to land spacecraft near Moon's south pole

India on Wednesday became the first nation to land a craft near the Moon's south pole, a historic triumph for the world's most populous nation and its ambitious, cut-price space programme.

Its landing comes days after a Russian probe crashed in the same region and four years since the previous Indian attempt failed at the last moment.

Difference between strong and solid alliance and evil alliance.

Eight is too many for MB. Power crazy and greedy.

We are practising common Laws and not living in thousand years ago.

Malays created a monster UMNO and now PAS. Green wave created DAP. Lol.

Malays created a monster UMNO and now PAS.

CCP members love America and US dollars very much but left all the s.hit in their home country.

New York becomes one Chinese billionaire family’s haven from property crash

NEW YORK – In a townhouse facing St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan, the power couple behind one of China’s greatest commercial property empires is writing the playbook for how to move a fortune out of the Communist nation.

Ms Zhang Xin and her husband Pan Shiyi, who grew Soho China into a behemoth that reshaped the country’s skylines, have built a discreet family office called Seven Valleys – named for the book written in Persian by the founder of the couple’s Bahai faith.

Two of its biggest assets are as iconic to New York as the architecture they developed in Beijing: stakes in the General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue Plaza in Midtown.

SOHO China Faces Internal Real Estate Crisis as Net Profit Plunges 93% and Land Value Tax Arrears Threaten Cross-Default

SOHO China, the mainland real estate giant, has reported a significant drop in profits and a mounting debt crisis. The company’s mid-term net profit has plummeted by 93% to approximately 13.6 million yuan. To exacerbate matters, SOHO China is now burdened with almost 2 billion yuan in land value-added tax, which could potentially result in a cross-default scenario.

The entire mainland real estate market is currently experiencing a harsh winter, with many companies defaulting on their debts. As a consequence, SOHO China’s announcement of its interim results on Friday further dampened market confidence. The news of the company’s financial struggles caused its stock to plunge by 9.48% today, reaching HK$1.05, the lowest level since January 2016. The transaction value amounted to HK$17.7 million.

Foreign investors scare of PAS green wave. Short pant also could not wear. Lol.

Posted by foongsh > 13 hours ago | Report Abuse

Why Deflation Is More Harmful Than Inflation
When prices go up and the power of the dollar goes down, the economy is experiencing inflation.

Silly Xi understands the harmful of deflation so interest rate keep on dropping so as the currency RMB but qqq seems pretend not to understand. 10 times more silly. Lol.

CCP deflation got nothing to do with others this is the results of CCP. Lol.

Posted by treasurehunt > 17 minutes ago | Report Abuse

IDQWE001. It is OK for not knowing Mandarin in our society and mostly don't talk all the nonsense to mislead the Chinese community.

That's why i said this fellow, traitor of Chinese who has lost his identity and merely retaining yellow skin. Qqq is exceptional type and trying to confuse the readers at whatever ways with the intention of spreading fears.

qqq is anti Chinese who always said
negative assets and deflation are good, he does not understand his ancient language and lost his own identity.

qqq keeps on talking 5 thousands Chinese history seems that he is the expert of history and talk on behave of CCP. If a person wihout knowing Chinese language how could he master China 5000 history and cultures. For normal Malaysian Chinese not knowing Chinese language is ok. But qqq trying to be expert talking nonsense to mislead Malaysians is shameful.

When typical chinese has nothing to back-up their view, this is what normally they would do to manupulate us thru their own understanding of moral or racial card hijacking our emotion feeling of guilty.

You are right most of the CCP supporters trying to play race cards it manupulates all Chinese MUST support CCP. CCP does not represent 100% China. Communism and Socialism are not original from ancient China. Those are rubbish from Europe culture.

Some CCP dogs not even could master his ancient language, his parents must be shame on him.

CCP dogs could be communists, Coummunism and sociolism are failure system western rubbish.

qqq is anti Chinese who always said negative assets and deflation are good, he does not understand his ancient language and lost his own identity.

Posted by treasurehunt > 2 hours ago | Report Abuse

You are the one thinking of worship US all the times. You don't even know Chinese language, how can you learn Confucious properly? Pretending again that you are really love our chinese. Get back to school to learn our Chinese language before talking further. Time is precious man.

You don't worship western then why you write English here all the times. To show you really love Chinese, go to pick our great chinese character language and put in some effort to learn our beauty of the language. Now, you are mere using your imagination of loving Chinese.

qqq is anti Chinese who always said negative assets and deflation are good, he does not understand his ancient language and lost his own identity.

Posted by klee > 27 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Anyway,me is not the type to waste time arguing on i3.You believe what you choose to believe ya.hahaha.Meanwhile me just non stop short hsi.

What a smart investor, silly CCP supporters must have bought HSI call warrants. Lol.

This virus will be stronger and stronger, unfortunately, tikus is still sleeping nothing could be done.

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 31 minutes ago | Report Abuse

Xi brought the entire country to wrong direction, end up local Chinese suffered.

Unfinished housing units could not stay, due to jobless and pay cut home buyers no money to pay housing instalment causing financial crisis. Banks bought those rubbish bonds all in chain reactions.

Xi behaves like tikus not able to solve property buble, flood and financial crisis. CCP dogs are very irresponsible talk only not using money to buy bonds and unfinished housing units to support CCP.

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 9 hours ago | Report Abuse

China’s No.1 Real Estate Company in Crisis, 900K Units Left to Rot & Trillions in Debt

https://youtu.be/sErbt4m4TGY

changes likes of which we haven’t seen for 100 years, debts like a black hole worst than 3rd world country. CCP's contribution to the world.

Building white elephants to boost GDP would not bring in revenue to cover operating cost.

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 9 hours ago | Report Abuse

China Shadow Bank Zhongrong Misses Payments, Sparking Protests

https://youtu.be/QTV3pFxGdQo

changes likes of which we haven’t seen for 100 years, from property bubble burst till financial crisis.

Chasing blindly GDP as KPI high leverage is a silly strategy.

Posted by foongsh > 1 hour ago | Report Abuse

Posted by IDQWE001 > 9 hours ago | Report Abuse

Tens of Trillions in Assets Vanished: The End of China’s Real Estate Economy Is Here!

https://youtu.be/n3GxbNlt75Y

Xi behaves like tikus not able to solve the issues hiding in lubang. Lol.

changes likes of which we haven’t seen for 100 years, property bubble burst made in CCP.

CCP commit suicide could not blame anyone.

Xi brought the entire country to wrong direction, end up local Chinese suffered.

Tens of Trillions in Assets Vanished: The End of China’s Real Estate Economy Is Here!

https://youtu.be/n3GxbNlt75Y

Xi behaves like tikus not able to solve the issues hiding in lubang. Lol.

China Shadow Bank Zhongrong Misses Payments, Sparking Protests

https://youtu.be/QTV3pFxGdQo

China’s No.1 Real Estate Company in Crisis, 900K Units Left to Rot & Trillions in Debt

https://youtu.be/sErbt4m4TGY