China's innovative heat mitigation measures gain global attention
A rooftop misting system in China has gone viral as extreme heat drives demand for innovative cooling technologies, with interest spreading to Europe where people are suffering from record-breaking temperatures. A video of the system, recorded in Yuncheng city, has been viewed nearly 10 million times after being shared by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on international social media. Several international media outlets have reported on the practice, with some describing it as an example of ‘Chinese wisdom’ in tackling high temperatures.
In the video, a fine water mist is sprayed simultaneously from the rooftops of several apartment buildings in a residential community, creating a scene resembling a giant fountain. The descending mist envelops the surroundings in a thin haze while providing relief from the scorching summer sun. According to the property developer, the high-pressure misting system began operating in August 2024. More than 200 high-pressure nozzles were installed on the roof of each residential building. Utilising the principle of evaporative cooling, the system rapidly absorbs heat from the surrounding environment. Operating routinely from June each year, the system runs for about 10 minutes per session, lowering the air temperature by approximately 5 to 8 degrees Celsius and reducing surface temperatures by up to 12 degrees Celsius. The system is typically activated around 4 p.m. on weekends, with additional spraying scheduled during periods of extreme heat.
Even before the water mist begins, many residents bring their children downstairs to wait. ‘Summer in Yuncheng is very hot. This artificial rain system has made the environment much cooler and allows us to spend more time outdoors with our children,’ said a resident named Cao Ting. As the water mist descends, it not only blocks some of the direct sunlight but also rapidly cools the surroundings. Children can often be seen playing happily under umbrellas amidst the refreshing spray. Property management staff said the cooling system is provided as part of the community’s standard property management services at no additional cost to residents. Using tap water, the fine mist produced evaporates quickly while also reducing airborne dust and partially irrigating the community’s landscaping, achieving multiple functions with the same water resources.
The rooftop misting system is just one example of China’s increasingly diverse efforts to protect residents from extreme heat. Across the country, local governments have introduced various tailored heat mitigation measures. In Xuchang, Henan Province, some companies have equipped outdoor workers with cooling vests and other heat-protective gear. Workers feeling unwell in high temperatures are allowed to rest in air-conditioned rooms. China has also established a comprehensive heat response system covering power supply, labour protection, public cooling services, and health warnings. Under Chinese regulations on heatstroke prevention and cooling measures, outdoor work must be suspended when the daily maximum temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius. When temperatures are between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius, outdoor work is limited to no more than six hours per day, with no outdoor work permitted during the hottest three-hour period. When temperatures range between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, employers are required to adopt shift rotation, reduce continuous working hours, and eliminate overtime for outdoor workers. Eligible employees must also receive high-temperature allowances.
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions recently launched its annual ‘Summer Cooling’ campaign, calling on employers nationwide to fulfil their responsibilities in providing heat protection by improving working conditions, arranging reasonable work schedules, distributing protective supplies and heat allowances, and providing occupational health training on heatstroke prevention and first aid. Reliable electricity supply also forms a key pillar of China’s summer heat response strategy. According to the National Energy Administration, power supply and demand are expected to remain generally balanced during the peak summer consumption period. As of 30 June, all 168 key summer power supply projects undertaken by the State Grid Corporation of China had been completed and put into operation on schedule, adding 39.7 million kilovolt-amperes of transformer capacity. China Southern Power Grid has also accelerated the construction of 95 key summer projects, with some already entering the operational phase.
From rooftop ‘artificial rain’ in residential communities to public cooling stations and free drinks and cooling supplies on city streets, from strengthened labour protection regulations to expanded power infrastructure, China is adopting increasingly detailed and diverse measures to help residents and workers cope with rising summer temperatures. As observed by international media outlets, these seemingly simple initiatives reflect what they call ‘Chinese wisdom’ in responding to extreme heat.