The Head of Chinese Meteorological Bureau, Qin Dahe, says that Chinese meteorological satellites will in future undertake more specific global tasks.
Qin Dahe notes that a Chinese satellite has been included in the group of global meteorological satellites by the World Meteorological Organization, greatly boosting the international influence of Chinese satellites.
He adds meteorological satellites play an important role in China's economic development, national defense and disaster prevention and control.
In addition, these satellites have good potential for use in other fields such as agriculture, aviation and oceanic development.
So far China has launched 6 meteorological satellites, with two of them still operating in the orbit and another satellite expected to take off soon.
(CRI September 1, 2004)
