Heavy snowstorms battered parts of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday, disrupting road traffic and prompting swift emergency responses from local authorities to ensure public safety.
Starting early Saturday, heavy snow blanketed the Kanas scenic area in Altay Prefecture, northern Xinjiang, covering houses, roads, and infrastructure. Local traffic police responded by managing vehicles at key intersections and using patrol vehicles to escort tourists out of the area safely.
Due to hazardous conditions, traffic control measures were imposed from 15:00 on roads leading to the scenic area.
Blizzards also struck the region's Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. On the Guozigou expressway section of northwestern Xinjiang, snowfall had persisted since Friday evening, covering roads with a thick layer of snow.
Meanwhile, strong winds stirred blowing snow, drastically reducing visibility. This saw road maintenance crews working tirelessly to clear the snow and maintain safe passage.
On roads severely affected by blowing snow, visibility dropped to less than 50 meters, and surfaces turned dangerously slippery. Police employed flashing lights to direct vehicles to safety and assisted in rescuing stranded ones.
As of 20:00 on Saturday, heavy snowfall persisted, leading to temporary restrictions on large trucks traveling between Ili and Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang.
Heavy snowfall blankets parts of Xinjiang, disrupting traffic in key areas
China and Thailand on Friday agreed to strengthen strategic alignment and enhance cooperation in various fields in a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Noting the current turbulent international situation, Anutin said Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to work with China to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries.
Thailand is ready to work with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecommunications fraud to further make the friendship between Thailand and China rooted in people's hearts, he said.
Anutin extended his gratitude for China's unremitting efforts in helping properly resolve the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that he looks forward to China continuing to play a constructive role.
Noting China is a reliable and dependable strategic cooperative partner of Thailand, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the saying "China and Thailand are one family" has a solid public opinion and social foundation and is showing even broader prospects.
Wang said that, facing a volatile international situation, China is willing to deepen mutual respect, trust and support with Thailand, and carry forward traditional friendship.
China stands ready to expand cooperation with Thailand in new energy, infrastructure, agriculture and other fields, promote the building of a more stable, prosperous and sustainable China-Thailand community with a shared future, and continuously make new contributions to regional stability and development, Wang said.
He expressed the hope that Thailand will intensify its efforts to crack down on online gambling and telecommunications fraud, creating a favorable environment for bilateral relations.
As a common friend of Thailand and Cambodia, China is willing to continue to build a platform for the two sides to engage in dialogue, rebuild mutual trust and improve relations, according to Wang.
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
China, Thailand agree to strengthen strategic alignment, enhance cooperation
