Constructing a Red Meteorological Network: The Production and Utilization of Meteorological Knowledge in Yan'an During WWII

Abstract

In 1944, the U.S. Army Observation Group arrived in Yan’an to establish formal contact with the Communist Party of China. Concurrently, driven by the demand for meteorological intelligence to support U.S. operations against Japan in the Pacific theater, the group collaborated with the CPC to set up meteorological training teams and weather stations in Yan’an. However, this cooperative chapter in the history of meteorology was later obscured by Cold War narratives emphasizing Sino-American ideological conflict. This article seeks to review the history of meteorological science diplomacy between the United States and the CPC, focusing on the U.S.’s role in establishing a “Red Meteorological Network” and the localization of meteorological knowledge in Yan’an. This collaboration not only facilitated U.S. military operations in the Pacific theater but also trained the first generation of meteorological workers for the People’s Republic of China after its founding in 1949. Through this unique pathway of meteorological knowledge transfer shaped by specific historical circumstances, the article critically reflects on Cold War narratives that overemphasize ideological confrontation. It shows that the interplay between the flow of scientific knowledge and diplomatic engagement offers a critical lens for understanding the historical roots of Sino-American relations even for today.