Chinese meteorologists predict China's "north drought and south flood" climate pattern will last for at least ten years.

The prediction came from a report at the 87th forum of China's young scientists that opened in Beijing Tuesday. The young scientists will convene here for two days to discuss and exchange information on the latest scientific frontiers.

Affected by the monsoon in east Asia, China has observed rising temperatures in the past 40 years. The most remarkable climate changes occurred in 1977 and 1985, followed by obvious temperature and rainfall changes, said Qian Weihong, professor with the Physics College in Beijing University.

Qian predicts in his report that by around 2015, the "north drought and south flood" climate pattern will be reversed and there will be less precipitation in the rainy Yangtze River reaches, while more in drought-plagued northern China.

However, world climate has been overwhelmingly affected by humankind's activities and should be traced and analyzed carefully before any conclusion is made, Qian said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2004)