China's meteorological data benefiting global users

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said on Friday that its data network has now counted over 520,000 professional users and provided some 173TB of service data annually, benefiting both domestic and global users.

The data network has been online since 2015. It provides services for a wide range of purposes, from weather forecasting and meteorological warnings to uses for those involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation.

CMA said the shared meteorological data has been particularly useful in agricultural production, disaster prevention and urban governance. It said data services have now been provided to over 300 users in 21 countries participating in the BRI.

Its Fengyun Satellite Remote Sensing Data Service Network has also provided data and services to users at home and abroad, including data from 26 satellites. CMA said the Fengyun network now has 150,000 users in 130 countries.

China has launched more than 20 Fengyun meteorological satellites, of which nine are in orbit, according to CMA.

The Fengyun-3G, a satellite that measures precipitation on Earth, officially began operating in May.

As China's first low-orbit precipitation measurement satellite, the FY-3G monitors hazardous weather and provides information for three-dimensional precipitation. It contributes to the country's global capabilities in the area.

The CMA said earlier that the Fengyun satellite's data will help prevent and reduce disasters globally, as it aims to better share data with international partners.

Chen Zhenlin, the director of the CMA, told Chinese media in an earlier interview that it will work with relevant parties to deepen international cooperation and engage in global climate governance.

(Cover photo provided by CMA)