China's meteorological observation network will have 158 radars by the year 2008.

China Meteorological Bureau says that the network's expansion will improve China's surveillance and bring early warnings of potentially disastrous weather conditions.

The predicted number of early warning radars will be second only to that of the United States.

China already has some 70 radars, and will add 84 more radars over the next three years in order to meet its target.

30 of the new radars will be built this year with an investment of 600 million yuan or 72 million US dollars.