China's Sponge Cities Can Reduce Flood Risks, Expert Says

(Beijing) - The recent devastating floods along the Yangze River in southern China was not proof that the "sponge city" concept promoted by authorities as a means of disaster control has failed, an urban planning expert said.

The comment comes amid public criticism of the idea on social media in the aftermath of a disaster that has killed 160 and affected 29 million as of July 7, according to data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.