Concept of development: Public-, security-, and resource-oriented meteorology

Objective: Establishing a comprehensive modernized meteorological service system by 2020

Development and deployment of meteorological services with Chinese characteristics over the next 5 years:

Centering on enhancing the meteorological service capability for the overall construction of a well-off society, focusing on building a modern meteorological service system, based on national meteorological science & technology innovation system and meteorological human resource system, and ultimately, laying a firm foundation for establishing a comprehensive modernized meteorological service system by 2020.

Six requirements:

To further enhance the meteorological service capability for the overall construction of a well-off society;

To further emphasize meteorological disaster preparedness and mitigation;

To further strengthen responses to climate change;

To further coordinate the overall development of the meteorological service;

To further deepen reform and opening up;

To further promote the CPC buildup and meteorological culture.

Some Comments Made by the State Council on Accelerating the Development of the Chinese Meteorological Service

Under the leadership of the State Council, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) organized the Research on the Chinese Meteorological Development Strategy. On 12 January 2006, “Some Comments Made by the State Council on Accelerating the Development of the Chinese Meteorological Service” ([2006] No.3) was issued, requesting that all regions and departments must attach greater importance to meteorological services, incorporate meteorological services into national economic and social development plans and scientific & technological development plans. Also to further refine the objectives and requirements for accelerating the development of the meteorological services and expedite the development and implementation of specific measures with coordinated arrangements and strengthened collaboration, so as to promote the overall, coordinated and sustainable development of the meteorological services.

★ The meteorological services fall into a category of fundamental public good, which is based on relevant sciences and technologies and oriented to the whole society;

★ Accelerating the development of meteorological services is in urgent need for addressing emergency events and securing people's lives and their property;

★ Accelerating the development of meteorological services is in urgent need for responding to global climate change and ensuring national security;

★ Accelerating the development of meteorological services is in urgent need for responding to strains on natural resources and ensuring sustainable development.

Guideline for Accelerating the Development of Meteorological Service

The scientific development concept shall be implemented in all aspects. Meteorological services shall always be targeted to the public. To be first-class in equipment, techonology staff and stations, it is necessary to further strengthen the groundwork for observation, to improve weather forecasts and climate prediction skills, and to speed up scientific and technological innovations. Efforts shall be made to set up a modern meteorological system that is advanced in a global context in order to enhance the role of meteorology in support of economic and social development, national security and sustainability, and to deliver first-class meteorological services for the emerging harmonious and well-off society.

Goals of the Meteorological Development

By 2020, an advanced, well-structured and functioned modern meteorological system is expected to be set up so that the meteorological performance will approach a world-leading level, reaching such a level in some areas.

Comments made by the General Office of the State Council on Fur-ther Strengthening Meteorological Disaster Prevention

On 5 July 2007, the General Office of the State Council issued the "Comments on Further Strengthening Meteorological Disaster Prevention" (GBF [2007] No. 49), requesting that great importance be attached to the meteorological disaster prevention and preparedness in all localities and by all departments, and that
disaster prevention, mitigation and response skills be improved across the whole society to minimize losses arising from meteorological disasters and to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.

General Requirements for Strengthening Meteorological Disaster Prevention

The people-first, prevention-oriented, and prevention/control-combined approach shall be pursued. Science and technology, rules and regulations, and the general public shall be relied upon. Overall planning and specific guidance shall be prepared and provided. A meteorological disaster prevention and preparedness plan shall be developed and implemented. A prevention and mitigation system shall be set up at a faster pace at national and local levels. The groundwork for disaster prevention and mitigation shall be strengthened. Monitoring and warning, combined prevention efforts, emergency responses and rescue and relief of all meteorological disasters shall be enhanced effectively. All these are aimed at improving disaster management of the whole society, and promoting coordinated and sustainable socio-economic development.