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CNEMC delegation visits HKBU Geography to advance air-quality forecasting collaboration

21 August 2025

A delegation from the China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC) Forecast and Early Warning Center, led by Deputy Director Liu Bing and including Chief Forecaster Zhu Lili and a senior engineer Wang Xiaoyan, recently visited the Department of Geography at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) for an academic exchange focused on advancing air-quality forecasting.

During the visit, both sides delivered technical briefings aligning scientific innovation with operational needs. Students from Professor Meng Gao’s group presented their recent work from two complementary perspectives: (1) leveraging aerosol–climate interactions to enable seasonal air-quality prediction, and (2) introducing new model mechanisms and data assimilation to improve the results of air-quality model simulations. The presentations showcased progress in bridging process-level understanding with forecast skill at multiple timescales.

Chief Forecaster Zhu Lili outlined CNEMC’s development over the years, current nationwide operations, and emerging requirements. After sustained growth, CNEMC now runs dozens of forecasting models in routine operations, a configuration that demands substantial computing resources. Looking ahead, CNEMC aims to incorporate artificial intelligence to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. Zhu also highlighted the strategic importance of extended-range pollution forecasting—spanning sub seasonal to seasonal horizons—to inform long-term government planning and risk preparedness.

The two sides discussed avenues for collaboration between operations and research, explored potential cooperation models, and articulated a shared vision for deeper integration.