On November 20, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Sub-center of the World Meteorological Center (Beijing) (hereinafter referred to as the "Sub-center"), located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, officially began operations. The Sub-center will provide high-quality meteorological support services for the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Zhang Zuqiang, Deputy Director of the China Meteorological Administration, Zhang Shaokang, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, Zhang Wenjian, Assistant Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Chen Jie, Standing Member of the Guangzhou Municipal Committee and Secretary of the Huangpu District Committee, Chen Pak-wai, Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Leong Weng Kuan, Director of the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau, Raed, Director of the Jordan Meteorological Department, and David Hiba, Director of the Solomon Islands Meteorological Department, attended the launch ceremony and delivered speeches. Representatives from over 30 countries participating in international meteorological training in China also attended the event.

Photo: Attendees jointly launch the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Sub-center of the World Meteorological Center (Beijing). (Photo by Chen Jianjun)

The meeting emphasized that the establishment of the Sub-center is one of the key measures to implement the national strategy for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is hoped that the Sub-center will play a significant role in regional forecasting, regional training, and disaster prevention and mitigation. The Sub-center will serve as an international exchange platform, strengthening demonstration leadership, continuously deepening practical cooperation in the meteorological field, and working with countries around the world to address the challenges of extreme weather and climate change, sharing the results of high-quality meteorological development.

Photo: Group photo of attendees. (Photo by Chen Jianjun)

At the meeting, a congratulatory letter from WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas was also read aloud.

Photo: Zhang Wenjian hands over Petteri Taalas' congratulatory letter to the main leaders of the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau. (Photo by Chen Jianjun)

At the same time, the 2023 International Training Course on Tropical Cyclone Monitoring and Forecasting Operations and Senior Management, as well as the 8th International Typhoon Operations Training Course, jointly organized by the WMO Beijing Regional Training Center and the Guangdong Provincial Meteorological Bureau, began at the Sub-center. Senior managers and meteorologists specializing in typhoon monitoring and forecasting from 33 countries participated in the training.

Currently, there are 10 World Meteorological Centers globally, with the China Meteorological Administration being the only World Meteorological Center located in a developing country.

Author: Liu Shuoqiao, Wang Tianwei

Editor: Su Jiexi