NEW EVIDENCE FOR THE QINGHAI-XIZANG (TIBET) PLATEAU AS A PILOT REGIONOF CLIMATIC FLUCTUATION IN CHINA

Over 40 a observed temperature data in 172 stations in China and histo rical proxy data were analyzed. Evidence suggested that during 1980-19 94, the warmest year appeared first in southeastern part of the Qingha i-Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (henceforth SETP) and then gradually spread n orthwards and eastwards to eastern China. The climatic change on centu ry time scale in recent 600 a shows 3 relatively warm and clod stages in China. Each warm and cold stage appeared first in Tibet Plateau (he nceforth TP) and then in the Qilian Mountains, then in the eastern par ts of China. The warm and cold stages in TP were 10-60 a earlier than in the eastern China. The facts show that TP is a pilot region of clim atic fluctuation in China on the time scale shorter than 10(3)a.