China opens former air raid shelters amid heat wave

Jul 13, 2022, 3:04 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2022, 4:08 am

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, cafe owner Chen Huanwen, right chats with customers in Jiulongpo District of southwestern in the cafe opened in an air raid shelter, China's Chongqing, July 11, 2022. High temperatures have prompted cites in China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat. (Liu Chan/Xinhua via AP)

(Liu Chan/Xinhua via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, residents play badminton in an air-raid shelter in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, July 8, 2022. Due to hot weather this summer, Jinan has opened nine air-raid shelters for free, providing citizens with leisure, reading, sports and fitness services. (Zhu Zheng/Xinhua via AP)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, residents play billiards in an air-raid shelter in Jinan, eastern China's Shandong Province, July 8, 2022. Due to hot weather this summer, Jinan has opened nine air-raid shelters for free, providing citizens with leisure, reading, sports and fitness services. (Zhu Zheng/Xinhua via AP)

A woman wearing a face mask walks across a pedestrian bridge on an unseasonably warm day in Beijing, Thursday, July 14, 2022. High temperatures have prompted cites in eastern China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat. Temperatures have surpassed all-time records in much of the country, while flooding has hit many parts. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A man and girl wearing face masks cool off in the shade on an unseasonably warm day in Beijing, Thursday, July 14, 2022. High temperatures have prompted cites in eastern China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat. Temperatures have surpassed all-time records in much of the country, while flooding has hit many parts. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A woman uses an umbrella for shade as she walks through the central business district on an unseasonably warm day in Beijing, Thursday, July 14, 2022. High temperatures have prompted cites in eastern China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat. Temperatures have surpassed all-time records in much of the country, while flooding has hit many parts. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Women wearing face masks use an umbrella for shade as they walk across an intersection on an unseasonably warm day in Beijing, Thursday, July 14, 2022. High temperatures have prompted cites in eastern China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat. Temperatures have surpassed all-time records in much of the country, while flooding has hit many parts. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

A woman wearing a face mask, arm sleeves, and a sun hat rides a bicycle on an unseasonably warm day in Beijing, Thursday, July 14, 2022. High temperatures have prompted cites in eastern China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat. Temperatures have surpassed all-time records in much of the country, while flooding has hit many parts. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, residents exercise in an air-raid shelter in Jinan, eastern China's Shandong Province, July 8, 2022. Due to hot weather this summer, Jinan has opened nine air-raid shelters for free, providing citizens with leisure, reading, sports and fitness services. (Zhu Zheng/Xinhua via AP)

A teenager plays with a water fountain during a hot day, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Beijing. A heat wave is sweeping through parts of China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Residents wearing masks pass by a water fountain during a hot day, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Beijing. A heat wave is sweeping through parts of China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A delivery man looks up near a blue sky with wispy clouds during a hot day, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Beijing. A heat wave is sweeping through parts of China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A woman wearing a mask passes by a blue sky with wispy clouds during a hot day, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Beijing. A heat wave is sweeping through parts of China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A worker sprays water on a road outside a worksite during a hot day, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Beijing. A heat wave is sweeping through parts of China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Residents cover up with umbrellas near a blue sky with wispy clouds during a hot day, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Beijing. A heat wave is sweeping through parts of China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING (AP) — High temperatures have prompted cites in eastern China to open former air raid shelters as a relief from the heat.

Temperatures have surpassed all-time records in much of the country, while flooding has hit many parts.

Air raid shelters were built in numerous Chinese cities during the Japanese invasion beginning in 1937. The building campaign was restored in the late 1950s when the former Soviet Union canceled its projects with China, prompting then-leader Mao Zedong to lean toward a diplomatic opening with Washington while guarding against a nuclear attack.

Zeke Miller and Chris Megerian

Biden celebrates a ‘crisis averted’ in Oval Office address on bipartisan debt ceiling deal

President Joe Biden celebrated a “crisis averted” in his first speech to the nation from the Oval Office Friday evening.

2 days ago

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Competition, ...

Associated Press

US, Europe working on voluntary AI code of conduct as calls grow for regulation

The United States and Europe are drawing up a voluntary code of conduct for artificial intelligence as the developing technology triggers warnings

2 days ago

FILE - Idaho Attorney General candidate Rep. Raul Labrador speaks during the Idaho Republican Party...

Associated Press

Families sue to block Idaho law barring gender-affirming care for minors

The families of two transgender teenagers filed a lawsuit Thursday to block enforcement of Idaho's ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors.

3 days ago

Amazon agreed Wednesday to pay a $25 million civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission alleg...

Associated Press

Amazon fined $25M for violating child privacy with Alexa

Amazon agreed Wednesday to pay a $25 million civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations it violated a child privacy law

3 days ago

FILE - Candles are lit on a memorial wall during an anniversary memorial service at the Holy Trinit...

Associated Press

Pain and terror felt by passengers before Boeing Max crashed can be considered, judge rules

Families of passengers who died in the crash of a Boeing 737 Max in Ethiopia can seek damages for the pain and terror suffered by victims in the minutes before the plane flew nose-down into the ground, a federal judge has ruled.

4 days ago