2023 was warmest year on record in China

A climate change monitoring report from the National Climate Center said on Monday that 2023 was the warmest year on record since meteorological records began, surpassing the previous global temperature record.

The global average temperature for 2023 exceeded the 2016 high by 0.14 C.

The report added that the global surface average temperature in 2023 was 1.42 C higher than preindustrial levels from 1850 to 1900, and 0.53 C higher than the average from 1991 to 2020.

The latest predictions from the National Climate Center indicate that the ongoing moderate El Nino event will persist until spring, affecting global surface temperatures.

In China, the average temperature in 2023 reached a historical high, surpassing the 1991 to 2020 average by 0.81 C.

Despite some weak cold fronts this week, temperatures are expected to quickly rebound, the National Meteorological Center said.

On Jan 14, the maximum temperatures in many areas of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are expected to return to above 20 C.

Cities including Hefei in Anhui province, Wuhan in Hubei province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province are forecast to have temperatures reaching or exceeding 20 C, more than 12 C higher than the local mid-January averages, resembling temperatures typical of March.

Chao Qingchen, director of the National Climate Center, said that in recent years, China has witnessed a rise in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

"Notably, there has been a slight increase in the number of typhoons making landfall. Traditionally confined to the southeast coast, typhoons reached the northeastern regions last year.

"Global greenhouse gas emissions lead to global warming. The global cumulative effect of over a century's emissions has influenced the world's climate, including China's," she said.

The World Meteorological Organization's Greenhouse Gas Bulletin released in November said that last year global carbon dioxide concentrations were 50 percent higher than preindustrial levels.

Projections for the coming decades indicate a trend for warmer and wetter weather in China. However, the extent of regional changes varies, requiring a tailor-made approach to address the diverse challenges posed by climate change, Chao said.

While a warming trend is expected, extreme cold weather conditions may still occur. Risks of heat waves and intense rainfall will impact expanded zones across the country, she said.

"Given China's vast expanse, it is crucial to focus on tailored measures to address the distinct challenges faced by different areas," she said.