Aerial photo taken on Aug. 1, 2021 shows a project for comprehensive utilization of precipitation in Qian'an City of north China's Hebei Province. It helps absorb part of run-off incurred by precipitation in the city proper. Like many other cities in north China, Qian'an used to fall victim to urban flooding during rainy seasons. But things have changed for the better since 2015 when the city was included in a national pilot program for "sponge city construction." Following the principle of precipitation reserving, permeating and clarifying in natural ways, the local authority set out to build a city that "breathes." Several years of uncompromising efforts not only put an end to urban flooding but also enabled a tremendous improvement in water supply and ecological system. Qian'an has therefore set itself as an example of "sponge city construction" for its peers in north China. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)