Weather remains livelihood source for farmers as well as entrepreneurs

According to an old Chinese proverb, farmers rely on the weather for their livelihood. But in today's China, while farmers are using technology to adapt to scorching summers, entrepreneurs are turning the heat into hot business opportunities.

In the face of orange alerts across northern China, a consumer revolution is transforming the summer heat into an economic boom. With the China Meteorological Administration warning of prolonged heatwaves and even higher temperatures, people are moving beyond mere endurance to embrace a new kind of cooling consumption pattern.

Air conditioners are flying off the shelves while handheld fans double as fashion statements, bartenders and baristas are coming up with new ice-cold drinks and innovative cooling gadgets are flooding online and offline markets.