Chinese solution provides 'early warnings for all'

China is actively sharing its experience and technological achievements in early warning systems with the world, offering technology, capacity building and risk identification systems to contribute to the United Nations' Early Warnings for All initiative, officials and experts said.

From embracing World Meteorological Day in March to launching the homegrown MAZU early warning system in July, and initiating a collaborative action plan for its urban application in October, the country translated the early warning concept into practice in 2025.

Launched in 2022 by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Early Warnings for All initiative aims to ensure that everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027.

In October, a Chinese delegation delivered a presentation on MAZU, an artificial intelligence-powered Chinese solution for early warnings for all, at the special session of the World Meteorological Congress held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Meteorological Organization praised China's efforts and contributions in applying AI to strengthen the four pillars of the UN initiative — risk management, monitoring and forecasting, warning dissemination and response capabilities, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

After the session, representatives from several WMO member states approached the Chinese delegation to explore cooperation on co-developing and sharing the MAZU system, it said.

The name Mazu comes from that of a sea goddess, a mythological protector against maritime disasters revered for centuries in China and across Southeast Asia.

In July, the CMA unveiled the Early Warnings for All China Solution, naming it MAZU, the acronym of which stands for multi-hazard, alert, zero-gap and universal.

"MAZU represents a seamless integration of our excellent traditional culture with modern technology," said CMA head Chen Zhenlin. "It is designed to provide customized warning systems and proven disaster prevention wisdom to developing nations," he said.

The solution is a comprehensive package of soft measures and hard technology, including sharing the country's emergency response framework, its disaster prevention system, and the "call-to-action" mechanism that ensures high-level warnings trigger immediate responses.

China has also developed the AI forecasting models Fenglei, Fengqing and Fengshun, covering time scales from minutes to seasons. At MAZU's core is a cloud-based early warning system that offers customized and sustainable technical solutions, the administration said.

The MAZU solution has been implemented across China to protect lives and fuel economic growth, it added.