Wutip, the first typhoon of the year in China’s coastal waters, is forecast to make landfall between Lingshui and Ledong on south China's Hainan Island between early morning and noon on Friday, the provincial meteorological bureau warned, with preparations being made across the region.
Authorities have evacuated Sanya's popular surfing spots and secured beachfront facilities, with crews trimming trees to prevent dangers from wind-blown debris.
All cargo operations at Sanya's ports have been suspended, marine construction projects have been halted and 1,205 workers have been brought back to shore from 11 offshore oil and gas platforms as a precaution.
Powerful winds on the tropical island have already downed a tree, which crashed onto a parked car in downtown Sanya on Thursday afternoon.
Local firefighters responded immediately after receiving emergency calls, successfully freeing the car and clearing debris
With Typhoon Wutip intensifying, northern coastal regions of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been placed on high alert. Beihai City activated a Level-4 emergency response for flood and typhoon prevention on Wednesday evening.
Passenger ferry services between Beihai and Weizhou Island were suspended at 11:50 on Thursday, with authorities coordinating the evacuation of remaining tourists.
"We began notifying passengers on June 11 [about the suspension]. All departures for June 12 afternoon to 14 were canceled as we implement typhoon precautions," said Li Qin, operations director of Beihai Xinyi Cruise Co., Ltd.
Guangxi maritime authorities said that by Thursday noon, all recreational vessels including yachts and sightseeing boats have returned to port. Coastal authorities have halted operations at 92 offshore projects and evacuated nearly 1,000 workers from 121 unpowered barges.
Typhoon Wutip forecast to hit Hainan on Friday: authorities
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
