China's capital is literally sinking into the Earth, a new study has found.
Parts of Beijing are sinking at a rate of 4 inches per year because of what's believed to be depleted sources of groundwater,
according to CNN.
Beijing is the world's third most populous city and the fifth most water-stressed city, with Chinese media estimating it requires 3.5 billion liters of water annually.
CNN reports that as the water is taken from the ground, the soil dries out and compacts on itself. This is causing certain areas of the city to drop as many as 11 centimeters every year.
Chaoyang, situated in the eastern suburbs of the city, is most affected by the sinking.
Historically, China has struggled to provide enough water for its citizens, animals, and crops.
A 2011 drought led to billions of dollars in agricultural losses and touched 44 million people.
China has been flexing its military muscles by conducting
flybys of U.S. planes and building
artificial islands in the South China Sea.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has criticized China for its trading with the U.S. "We can't continue to allow China to rape our country, and that's what they're doing,"
Trump said in May.
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