BEIJING -- China on Wednesday inaugurated its 27th national climate observatory in the Xiong'an New Area in North China's Hebei province.

According to the China Meteorological Administration, the observatory consists of one main station and eight auxiliary stations, covering four major ecosystem types ranging from urban areas to forests, wetlands and farmlands.

Meteorological data will be transmitted in real time to a cloud-based big data platform, enhancing capabilities in climate monitoring, early warning, and sector-specific meteorological services.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, the Xiong'an New Area, dubbed the "city of the future," was established in 2017 to relieve Beijing of functions nonessential to its role as the nation's capital, while also advancing the coordinated development of Beijing and neighboring Hebei and Tianjin Municipality.

After entering operation, the observatory will not only undertake climate observation tasks but also carry out research in several key areas, providing more reliable support for climate resource analysis, climate change monitoring and assessment, and disaster risk identification.

Meteorological authorities in Xiong'an have, in recent years, advanced smart meteorology, establishing an integrated monitoring network.

"We will continue to enhance capabilities in meteorological disaster risk monitoring and early warning, ecological meteorological support, and urban operation services," said Guo Yitao, deputy head of the observatory.