Major improvements in China's meteorological observation system

China has established a comprehensive and efficient meteorological observation system that integrates land, sea, air and space-based technologies, according to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

The system includes the world's largest weather radar monitoring network, Fang Xiang, director general of the Department of Integrated Observation at CMA said at a press briefing Sunday in Beijing.

He noted that the weather radar monitoring network consists of 546 weather radars, the coverage of which has significantly improved in the last five years.

Fang added that nine Fengyun meteorological satellites have been deployed so far for high and low orbit observation, making China the only country with dawn, morning, afternoon and precipitation measurement satellites, serving 132 countries and regions and over 160,000 users globally.

Fang said China's meteorological observation system now includes over 76,000 ground-based automatic meteorological observation stations nationwide, providing full coverage of all townships in the country.

The system includes 27 national climate observatories and eight national atmospheric background stations that ensure the comprehensive coverage of key climate areas.

The system features a national greenhouse gas observation network with 120 high-precision stations. Data gathered by the network is regularly published.

The CMA has also ramped up space weather observation in the last five years. According to Fang, 61 national space weather observation stations have been set up to support space weather monitoring and early warning services.

Bi Baogui, vice administrator of CMA, said on Sunday that important breakthroughs have been made in key technologies in the sector.

He cited the "hundred-meter level, minute-level" forecasting technology that has proven consequential in disaster prevention and mitigation.

He said artificial intelligence has been incorporated into some applications. Bi counted three independently developed meteorological large models released, namely the "Fengqing," "Fenglei" and "Fengshun" models.

"In terms of detection technology research and development, the BeiDou sounding system and three-stage sounding technology have provided a Chinese solution for the high-quality development of global meteorological sounding," Bi added.