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Dire warnings in China's first climate change report
BEIJING, Dec 27 (AFP) Dec 27, 2006
Temperatures in China will rise significantly in coming decades and water shortages will worsen, state media said Wednesday, citing the government's first national assessment of global climate change.

Compared with 2000, the annual average temperature in China will rise by as much as 3.3 degrees Celsius by 2050, the Xinhua news agency reported, citing the assessment.

The report notes that although north China is expected to have more days of rain, water shortages will increase because of faster evaporation caused by rising temperatures, according to Xinhua.

Typhoons and other types of extreme weather will also hit China more often, according to the report, a cooperative project involving the Ministry of Science and Technology and 11 other government departments.

"The report will serve as the country's scientific and technical reference in policy making and international cooperation," said Li Xueyong, vice minister of the science ministry, according to the China Daily.

"It also shows China's attention to the global issue and its resolve to work together with the international community."

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