An indicator system for evaluating the powerhouse of meteorological science and technology: Design and preliminary application

In 2024, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) set up a strategic objective—to build a global science and technology (S&T) powerhouse in meteorology—and since then a series of related initiatives has been launched. To guide the high-quality development of the meteorological enterprise, this strategic objective highlights an urgent need for a clear indicator system to assess meteorological S&T capacity and to optimize innovation stimulating mechanisms. By analyzing international trends and integrating the recent achievements in S&T powerhouse theories in fields such as space science in China, this study constructs a comprehensive indicator system based on scientific rigor, systematicity, representativeness, comparability, and operability. The system is structured across five dimensions, including "basic research and original innovation", "breakthroughs in key core technologies", "international influence and leadership", "cultivation and aggregation of high-level talent", and "S&T governance systems and capabilities", in alignment with the CMA mission of "precise monitoring, accurate forecasting, and refined services". The validity of this system is evaluated through a comparative analysis of the meteorological S&T capabilities of China, Europe, and the United States. Preliminary results indicate that the proposed indicator system effectively reflects the S&T innovation capacities of major global meteorological players, demonstrating significant application potential. Furthermore, it helps identify the current strengths and weaknesses in China's meteorological S&T development. This provides a basis for concentrating efforts on high-quality development and offers a strategic reference for achieving the goal of becoming a meteorological S&T powerhouse at an early stage.