Tech fuels global weather governance

China has deepened its collaboration with the international community in meteorological governance during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), using artificial intelligence and early warning technologies to help developing countries improve disaster preparedness and climate resilience, officials said on Saturday.

Chen Zhenlin, director of the China Meteorological Administration, said the country's self-developed early warning system has provided technical support and training to nations vulnerable to climate disasters.

The system has already been adopted in Pakistan, Ethiopia, the Solomon Islands, Mongolia, and Djibouti.

"It can provide comprehensive early warning solutions and help bridge the technology divide faced by developing nations," Chen said during a State Council Information Office news conference.

In July, the administration launched MAZU, an AI-powered integrated meteorological system designed to provide early warnings for all users. The system combines elements of traditional Chinese culture with modern science and aligns with the United Nations' Early Warnings for All initiative.

Chen said the system represents China's transformation "from an active participant in global meteorological governance to a key contributor and provider of global public goods".

Over the next three years, China will help developing countries enhance their meteorological capabilities by offering 2,000 training opportunities, 100 scholarships and 50 visiting scholar positions, he added.

China has also achieved major breakthroughs in meteorological science, including weather predictions, during the plan period, said Jin Ronghua, director of the National Meteorological Center.

"We have made significant progress in numerical weather prediction — the 'chip' of modern forecasting," Jin said. "Our independently developed global and regional systems have reached near top international levels."

China is working with Tsinghua University, Fudan University and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to develop AI-based forecasting models, keeping pace with leading meteorological centers in Europe and the United States.

During the same period, forecast accuracy reached its highest level on record, with the accuracy rate for heavy rainfall forecasts improving by 10 percent compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), Jin said.

According to the administration, China has strengthened its capacity to monitor and forecast extreme weather, with the detection rate of severe weather events rising to 83 percent.

Chen said the country's meteorological modernization has advanced rapidly, supported by an integrated observation network consisting of nine Fengyun meteorological satellites, 842 weather radar systems and more than 90,000 ground observation stations.

"With a seamless and intelligent digital forecasting system, we can now predict regional rainstorms, heat waves and cold spells three to seven days in advance," Chen said.

Bi Baogui, deputy director of the administration, said China launched five Fengyun satellites during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, several of which feature world-first technologies.

The Fengyun satellites now provide data services to 133 countries and regions, including many involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The number of international users on the Fengyun service platform has more than doubled since 2021, and 37 countries have registered for the satellite emergency observation mechanism to receive targeted support during disasters, Bi said.

Meanwhile, China's domestically developed Beidou sounding system has reached a world-leading level, ending GPS' monopoly in meteorological sounding, he said.

"The country now operates the world's largest ground-based remote sensing network, capable of real-time vertical profiling of temperature, humidity, wind and aerosols up to 10,000 meters," Bi said.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn