Surface temperatures in China will increase significantly in coming decades and the water shortage in north China will get worse, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Compared with 2000, the annual average temperature in China will rise between 1.3 and 2.1 degrees Celsius by 2020, 1.5 and 2.8 degrees by 2030 and 2.3 and 3.3 degrees by 2050, said the report composed by 12 departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology and the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

Rainfall will increase as well, with the estimated annual average rising by two to three percent by the year 2020.

The report notes that although north China is expected to have more days of rain, the water shortage will deteriorate because of faster evaporation caused by rising temperatures.

It also predicts more extreme weather will hit China.

As China's first national assessment of global climate change and its impact, the report comprises three parts: the history and future trends of climate change; the impact and adaptation of climate change; and the social and economic assessment of climate change alleviation.

The report was comprehensive and authoritative because it was based on a wide range of scientific research results and policy consultations, said Qin Dahe, head of the CMA.

Some of the report was quoted in the Fourth Assessment Report "Climate Change 2007" by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, established by the World Meteorological O rganization and the United Nations Environment Programme, said Qin.

Source: Xinhua