Climate monitoring system sent to Uruguay

In a move to enhance climate cooperation, China has donated a mobile ground system that can receive and process data from meteorological satellites to Uruguay, Zhao Yingmin, vice-minister of ecology and environment, said in Beijing on Wednesday.

The system will soon be transported to the South American country to help enhance its capability to cope with climate change, Zhao said.

The facility is expected to provide data and technological support for Uruguay in its agricultural production, environmental monitoring and extreme meteorological disaster mitigation, he said.

The China Academy of Space Technology said the system consists of an antenna vehicle, a shelter vehicle and a power station trailer. It can receive, process, store and apply data from a series of meteorological satellites, including Fengyun-3D and EOS-Aqua.

Zhao said that China will also conduct exchanges in space technology applications with Uruguay and enhance the cultivation of technological talent in the country.

"I hope the two countries will make joint endeavors to enhance cooperation and share instructive experiences to ensure effective operation of the system," he said.

The donation was included in an agreement the countries signed on climate cooperation in 2019, the ministry said.

Zhao also reiterated China's determination to stick to multilateralism in tackling the global climate crisis.

"As the world faces a grim challenge from climate change, adhering to multilateralism and global cooperation is the only right choice," he said.

He said China has done its best to help developing countries improve their capability to fight climate change, including through joint climate mitigation and adaptation projects, building low-carbon demonstration communities and training.

China has signed 40 cooperation agreements on tackling climate change with 35 developing countries. Over 2,000 people from 120 countries have joined training organized by China on climate cooperation with developing countries, Zhao said.

"Finally, Uruguay is to have its own meteorological transportable ground system," said Fernando Lugris, the country's ambassador to China.

The delivery of the system marks a new area of cooperation between the two countries and will enhance their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he said.