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The climatology and long-term trends of low-cloud conditions over China were examined using the Extended Edited Cloud Report Archive data from 1971 to 1996. Linear regression analysis was applied to time series of clear-sky frequencies and low-cloud frequencies, and low-cloud amounts when present. Over the 26-yr study period, the clear-sky frequency increased over northern China. During summer, the frequency of cumuliform clouds decreased over almost all of China. A significant decrease characterized the trend in cumulonimbus (Cb) frequency; however, the Cb cloud amount when present increased over the Yangtze River basin and southern China. Increasing trends in stratocumulus (Sc) cloud amount when present were also observed over much of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]