Discourse: Explanation of China's Adjustments to Frequent and Severe Heat Waves

In recent years, China has been experiencing an unprecedented increase in heatwaves, a trend that experts attribute to climate change. According to Prof Wenjia Cai from Tsinghua University, the number of heatwave days is indeed on the rise.

The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) defines a hot day or high temperature day as one that reaches or exceeds 35°C. In 2022, more than 1,000 meteorological stations in China reported heatwaves, with 441 breaking "historical records". This trend continued into 2024, when China experienced its hottest year on record, with the average national temperature rising.

Between mid-March and mid-July 2025, China experienced an unprecedented number of such hot days. During this period, heatwaves swept across northern regions, with temperatures in Xinjiang reaching as high as 46.8°C in May and June.

These extreme high temperatures have shown an increasing trend in China since its records began in 1961. The CMA reports that hundreds of local heat records have been surpassed over the past decade.

The IPCC states that it is "virtually certain" that "the frequency and intensity of hot extremes have increased" across the world since 1950, with human-caused greenhouse gas emissions being the main driver. The frequency and intensity of heatwaves in China, as part of global trends, have significantly increased from 2000 to 2023.

According to a recent guest post for Carbon Brief, by 2060, China's heat-induced economic losses could total about 1.5 per cent of total GDP under 1.5 °C of global warming, 3 per cent under 2 °C of warming, and 4.9 per cent under 2.5 °C of warming. Sectors such as the extractive industries, construction, and non-metallic manufacturing "could see the highest losses" of about 4.6-6.4 per cent of their "value-added" due to future warming.

To combat these heatwaves, China has implemented various policies. In 2013, the central government published its first "national climate change adaptation strategy" to implement the "clear requirement" of "enhancing our ability to adapt to climate change" included in the 12th "five-year plan" (2011-15). More recently, in 2024, China published the "national climate change health adaptation action plan (2024-30)". This plan aims to bring together a range of organizations, including hospitals, to form a "system related to climate change and health" with monitoring and early warning capabilities.

In addition, China's State Grid Corporation expected maximum electricity demand to exceed 1,200 gigawatts (GW) in 2025, a new record. Other than manufacturing, electricity supplies in China have also been frequently reported to be affected by hot days.

To protect workers, labour policies have been introduced. These policies include weather forecasts and alerts, as well as measures to ensure that workers are provided with adequate rest and hydration during hot days. Schools have also been advised to allow students to study from home during hot days.

Despite these efforts, the impacts of heatwaves have been significant. In early 2025, the Ministry of Emergency Management reported that droughts in 2024 hit more than 11 million people in China, with more than 1.2 million hectares of affected crops and direct economic losses topping nearly 8.4 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion).

As the world continues to grapple with climate change, it is clear that China is not immune to its effects. The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves serve as a stark reminder of the need for continued action to adapt to a changing climate.