A research study found that the Chinese weather authorities succeeded in controlling the weather ahead of a major political celebration earlier this year. The study conducted by the Beijing University found definitive evidence of a successful cloud seeding operation on the eve of celebrations. A remarkable drop in air pollution was observed as a result of the same.

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The Chinese Communist Party celebrated their 100th birthday with countrywide celebrations which involved tens of thousands of people. A large crowd gathered at the ceremony held in Tiananmen Square. A research conducted by the Tsinghua University said a cloud seeding operation was responsible behind the clear skies and low air pollution.

The Chinese government has not been shy about their enthusiasm surrounding cloud-seeding technology. They have spent billions of dollars to try and control the weather, a technology which will prove to be useful for the protection of agricultural regions or improve significant events.

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The research paper led by environmental science professor Wang Chu has been published in the Environmental Science Journal and has been peer-reviewed. A two hour cloud seeding operation involved rockets carrying silver iodine being shot into the sky in order to stimulate rainfall.

The artificial rain saved the centenary celebration from an unexpected increase in pollution levels and an overcast sky. The level of air pollutants was reduced by more than two thirds and sent the air quality index from moderate to good.

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Scientists are still unsure about the newfound technology and it’s unclear whether manipulating the weather in a region could disrupt the weather elsewhere or not. However, it is an interesting new finding and interest around it has been growing in recent months.

In 2019, officials found that weather modification had helped China reduce 70% of hail damage annually in the regions of Xinjiang.

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Previously, the technology had been used in 2008 Olympics, 2014 APEC summit, national day parades and annual Two sessions meetings.