China plans to launch 13 new meteorological satellites from 2011 to 2020, according to an official from the National Satellite Meteorology Center (NSMC), part of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

The new satellites would increase spatial resolution, satellite precision, and 3D atmospheric detection capabilities, said NSMC Director-General Yang Jun at the NSMC's "open house day" press conference on March 20.

In addition to the new launches, Yang said that the technology of existing weather satellites Fengyun I and Fengyun II would be updated. Upcoming new additions to the satellite group will be Fengyun IV, the Fengyun Precipitation Measurement Radar Satellite and the Fengyun Geo-stationary Microwave Satellite.

The new satellite technology, Yang said, would allow CT-scanning of the atmosphere, enabling scientists to monitor the structure of typhoons, lightning strikes and propensity of greenhouse gases. The improvements will increase preciseness of weather forecasts and boost the country's ability to measure climate change, he said.

"To date, China has successfully launched 11 meteorological satellites. China is one of the few countries owning geostationary orbit and polar-orbiting meteorological satellites. The Fengyun satellites are very important members of the Global Earth Observation System," Yang said.

China will invest nearly 20 billion yuan on meteorological satellites in the coming decade. China still has to overcome a technology gap, but should be able to catch up to international standards in the next ten years and even take the lead in some fields, Yang said.