South China province enhances preparedness for Typhoon Wipha

Typhoon Wipha is expected to make landfall along Guangdong's coast Sunday afternoon, prompting local authorities to take all precautionary measures necessary.

The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, Huangmao Sea Crossing, and Qiongzhou Strait ferry services are all temporarily shut; and China Railway Guangzhou Bureau has suspended or slowed multiple train lines.

In addition to activating emergency shelters, Shenzhen's urban management and housing authorities have been reinforcing street lamps, roadside trees, cranes, and scaffolding at construction sites where all work is suspended and on-site personnel relocated.

Since July 19, Shenzhen Bay Park, Talent Park, and both Dameisha and Xiaomeisha beaches have been closed to the public.

The city has also opened emergency shelters to the public. Bao'an District alone has opened 113 emergency shelters, with more to come. All districts have published shelter locations and contact details via official WeChat accounts for residents and visitors in need.

Also for safety concerns, Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link was fully closed at 0:00 on Sunday as winds would reach force 12 (32.7 to 36.9 meters per second) amid torrential rain.

The Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge suspended outbound customs clearance services from 02:30 on Sunday, with the main bridge closed from 03:30 until further notice.

Huangmao Sea Crossing closed at 03:30 is now under traffic control, and Qiongzhou Strait Ferry has halted all roll-on and roll-off ferry services. It is expected to remain suspended for two to three days.

Railway operations have also been adjusted due to Typhoon Wipha.

Partial suspensions will be implemented during certain periods on Sunday for some intercity rails and suburban rail lines.

Additionally, speed restrictions will be imposed on some trains operating Sunday on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway, Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, Beijing-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway, and Hangzhou-Shenzhen Railway.

Passengers are urged to follow the latest updates from China Railway to avoid travel delays.

South China province enhances preparedness for Typhoon Wipha

China's commissioning of "five essentials for aircraft carriers" marks a a significant achievement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s accelerated transformation and development, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.

The "five essentials" refer to stealth carrier-based fighters, multirole catapult-assisted carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters.

"The package, or what media have dubbed the 'five essentials for aircraft carriers,' is a vital link in forming the systematic combat capability of aircraft carrier formations and a significant achievement in the PLA Navy’s accelerated transformation and development. Building a strong PLA Navy embodies the Chinese nation's long-cherished aspiration of striving to be a strong naval power and serves as an important guarantee for realizing national rejuvenation. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, the modernization of the PLA Navy has become increasingly solid and powerful. From the air to the sea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leapfrog development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.

Spokesman confirms commissioning of 'five essentials' for carriers