After three years' efforts, Hong Kong has become the global official weather forecast center publishing weather forecasts for over 100 countries and regions, according to Lam Chiu-ying, director of Hong Kong Observatory (HKO).

Sing Tao Daily reported, in a letter broadcast via Hong Kong Radio on May 7, Lam mentioned HKO's suggestion to World Meteorological Organization (WMO) several years ago on establishing a global official weather forecast website to enable meteorological departments of developing countries to present their achievements to the world.

After three years' trial operation, the website was finally recognized as daily business of WMO at the end of last March. HKO receives weather forecasts of 103 countries and regions every day and publishes the information, making Hong Kong the world's official weather forecast center.

Lam regarded the operation as an honor as well as in accordance with Hong Kong's status of a metropolis. It also makes staff of the observatory learn the pluralistic world cultures and helps them form a broad world view.

(People's Daily May 8, 2005)