China is the leading emitter of the greenhouse gas emissions scientists say are driving global climate change and making extreme weather events more frequent.

Beijing has pledged to bring planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions to a peak by 2030 and to net zero by 2060.

“During this year’s autumn season (Sept 1 to Nov 30), the national average temperature was 11.8°C, 1.5° higher than the average year, the highest ever since 1961,” the centre announced on its social media account.

Most regions experienced temperatures 1° to 2°C above average, while parts of central, east, southwest and northwest China experienced average temperatures that were 2° to 4°C higher during the period compared to previous years, the centre added.

Sixteen provinces and regions, including Liaoning, Tianjin and Chongqing recorded their highest average autumn temperatures since 1961.

China logged its hottest August since 1961 this year as well, after the country endured a summer of extreme weather and heatwaves across much of its north and west, the weather service said in September.