Vietnam, China boost meteorological cooperation

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam and China agreed upon a wide-range cooperation in the meteorological field for 2009-2010 at a meeting in Hanoi on March 24.

The cooperation ranges from forecasting weather, exchanging meteorological
information, conducting joint scientific research at adjacent areas, to education
and training.

The two sides will also share meteorological technologies, professional management
skills, and join in forecasting, evaluating and monitoring weather in Asia .

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Van Duc said
meteorological cooperation is of extreme importance to socio-economic development of
both Vietnam and China as the two countries share a common borderline and a
water area.

Deputy Chief of the Chinese Bureau of Meteorology Xu Xiaofeng pointed to the need
for the two countries' meteorologists to further boost their coordination in
forecasting weather in Vietnam 's northern area bordering China 's Guangxi
province, which often sees dangerous weather phenomena.

Xu affirmed that Chinese meteorologists will share their experience as well as
statistics for the development of a meteorological monitoring network, automatic
weather forecast stations and networking evaluating standards.

The two sides agreed to maintain operation of the Hanoi-Beijing hotline to serve the
exchange of information in case of storms, low tropical depressions, torrential rain
and droughts.

They decided to organise a Vietnam-China seminar on dangerous weather in China
late this year to allow meteorologists and weather forecasters to share experiences
and expertise alongside exchanging visits of experts in the field.-Enditem