Global experts mark 30th anniversary of China’s atmospheric observatory on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

XINING, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) — China will build ten more atmospheric background observatories by the end of 2026, in addition to the existing ones established in the country, including seven regional and one global atmospheric background observatories.
Zhang Peng, director-general of the Meteorological Observation Center of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), made the remarks Thursday at the opening ceremony of the International Workshop on Greenhouse Gases and Climate Change on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The event also marked the 30th Anniversary of Waliguan Baseline Observatory, held in northwest China’s Qinghai Province.
Located more than 3,800 meters above sea level on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the Waliguan Baseline Observatory, a global atmosphere watch observatory, went into operation on Sept. 17, 1994.
“It is the only baseline station today measuring in the large Asian area at a high altitude,” said Paolo Laj, head of the Global Atmosphere Watch Programme at the World Meteorological Organization, at the workshop, adding, “When you measure at a high altitude, you’re not influenced by local sources, so you have a very good vision of the global atmosphere. The measurements done at Mount Waliguan are extremely important.”
The two-day workshop takes place in two sites: Xining, the capital of Qinghai, and Gonghe County in the Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai.
More than 130 experts and scholars from domestic and international institutions will exchange their views on topics such as the greenhouse gas and climate change monitoring network construction on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and carbon sink assessment and ecological value accounting of the alpine ecosystem. ■