The China Central Meteorological Station (CMS) staged activities in Beijing Saturday to raise public awareness of meteorological science.

The activities were part of a national drive, known as Science Week, to increase people's understanding of modern science and technology.

The activities included consultations by experts, films on meteorology, and visits to the station and the national satellite weather forecast center, said Zheng Guoguang, deputy director of China Meteorological Administration.

China has set up 2,600 meteorological stations across the country, and its accuracy rating for various kinds of weather forecasts have reached or got close to those of the United States and Japan, he said.

At present, 19 of the meteorological stations are open to the public regularly, becoming bases of meteorological education for young people.

(Xinhua 05/19/2001)