In recent years, China Meteorological Administration attaches great importance to and strengthens the construction of meteorological science and technology innovation system, taking modern meteorological operations’ development as the breakthrough point, and trying to keep up with the world meteorological science and technology development. Experts and scholars are invited to work in four key areas including weather, climate,applied meteorology, and comprehensive meteorological observation—integrating important technology problems, putting forward significant research directions, research emphases and main tasks, and formulating and revising the research plans for weather, climate, applied meteorology, and comprehensive observation.

In March 2010, China Meteorological Administration released for the first time the four research projects consisting of weather, climate, applied meteorology, and comprehensive meteorological observation, based on which a series of projects were implemented, for example, the public welfare industry (meteorological) research project. By the end of 2012, 73.4% of key research tasks proposed on the basis of the four research projects had been carried out, accomplishing a batch of scientific achievements. Some findings have been applied to meteorological operations, acquiring good benefits. In 2013, China Meteorological Administration issued the revised edition of the four research projects (2013-2020).

The overall goals of "The Weather Research Plan (2013-2020)" include: A numerical prediction technology system taking GRAPES – GFS as the core is to be fully formed. Progresses are to be made on the accurate location of landing typhoons and fine wind and rain prediction technology. Improvements are to be achieved on the rainstorm development rules in complex terrains, and on the exquisite prediction skills. Classified strong convective weather recognition and analysis technology are to be established basically, and the prediction and warning accuracy are to be further improved. The prediction technical ability for severe/transforming/extreme weather process within two weeks is to be enhanced. Specific indicators are as follows: To 2020, the GRAPES global model can predict a validity period of 8 days. Multi-source information can quickly turn into the three-dimensional lattice analysis data with 1-3 km resolutions updated every hour. Twenty four hours’ typhoon path objective prediction error is to be controlled less than 90 kilometers, and the typhoon intensity objective prediction error is to be 5-6 km. The day parting (six hours) quantitative precipitation prediction skills within 24 hours are to be equal to that of 24 hours in 2010, with the torrential rain forecast techniques increasing by 15% compared with that in 2010. For the classification of strong convective weather (heavy precipitation, thunder and lightning, thunderstorm winds, etc.), the objective nearby prediction skill is to be greater than the continuous extrapolation prediction technique. The validity period for severe weather processes is to be extended to two weeks.

The overall goals of "The Climate Research Program (2013-2020)" are as follows: Based on the pressing needs of the national economic and social development on climate services, the existing climate observation data is to be made full use of, to further enhance the comprehensive application and service ability of multi-source data. The climate system monitoring, diagnosis, prediction theory and method aimed at the East Asian monsoon region characteristics are to be studied. The high-resolution climate system model and climate prediction business system with Chinese characteristics are to be developed, to increase the climate prediction accuracy. Technology for meteorological disaster regionalization, meteorological disaster risk management and climate impact assessment application technology are to be improved. China's regional climate change monitoring and detection technology are to be developed, the monitoring, prediction and impact evaluation of extreme events under the background of climate changes are to be improved, and the climate changes' quantitative evaluation and forecast ability on the effects of agriculture, water, energy, human health and ecology are to be boosted. The national, regional and provincial climate business systems are to be completed, and China's climate business and application service are to be advanced. The climate business system centered on the Asian regional climate monitoring, prediction, impact assessment and service is to be established, laying foundation for undertaking the basic business tasks and functions of WMO Asian regional climate center (Beijing Climate Centre).

The objectives of  "Applied Meteorology Research Plan" include the following contents. A multiple time interval and quantitative agricultural meteorological information service technology throughout the whole agricultural production process, and an agricultural meteorological simulation model with independent intellectual property rights are to be researched and developed. The technology and method of weather modification's potential evaluation, catalytic condition selection, method and effect testing are to be created, and a new generation of numerical model, new technology and new equipment for the weather modification are to be researched and developed. The numerical prediction model and environmental meteorological disaster warning system facing environmental meteorological forecast and early warning business are to be established. The critical index system of meteorological conditions for high sensitive sectors of meteorological service and the risk assessment method are to be set up. The weather forecast and meteorological disaster early warning service technology for solar and wind energy development and utilization is to be developed. China’s overall applied meteorology business service level on meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change tackling and ecological civilization construction is to be elevated. As a result, the foundation will be laid for the applied meteorological research business system which is in harmony with the modern meteorological operations, and meets the needs of national modern economic and social sustainable development and ecological civilization construction.

The overall objectives of "The Comprehensive Meteorological Observation Research Plan (2013-2020)" are as follows. The research and development of major equipments and key sensors badly needed for business development are to be completed. The new technology application of meteorological satellite observation and meteorological remote sensing observation is to be further improved, and the comprehensive meteorological observation technology and ability are to be enhanced significantly. Significant progresses of the comprehensive meteorological observation on high altitude vertical profile technology are to be made, and the interaction research of observation, forecast and service will be more thorough. Besides, multiple source comprehensive observation products will be richer, the data source management and sharing ability are to make great improvements, and the quality and efficiency of comprehensive meteorological observation are to be further lifted. After five to eight years of efforts, the scientific research achievements on meteorological sounding equipment, meteorological observation method, comprehensive observation products, and the observation system’s measurement and protection have reached the international advanced level, providing a strong science and technology guarantee for the integrated meteorological observation system with Chinese characteristics—reasonable construction and layout, advanced technology, excellent equipment, powerful running stability and security, and satisfying demands.