The Yellow River (Huang He) has a long history, as far back as BC, of causing political instability when it broke its banks in flood. Consequently the harmony of river defences have been a strong source of political strength in Chinese history. Whether that extends to weather control or not is a different issue, however, the Chinese believe they will do for rain and spectator sports where their other state-based attempts at controlling nature have failed.
Only an immature political system could be so arrogant in the one-party state's belief it can control nature.
