China is on high alert as a new round of torrential rains triggers flooding in central Henan Province, disrupts transport and power in southern regions, while northern provinces prepare for imminent heavy downpours expected to exceed 200mm, prompting nationwide emergency response measures.
On Thursday morning, Zhengzhou City in Henan was hit by intense downpours, with some areas receiving over 180mm of rainfall within hours.
The sudden deluge left urban districts severely waterlogged, suspending some subway services.
Local authorities have implemented strict control measures, including halting industrial production, commercial activities, and public transportation across the city.
Emergency crews are working around the clock to pump out floodwaters while intensifying safety inspections of critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, and tunnels.
Meanwhile, in southern China, the rainfall starting from early August has begun to subside in Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
China Railway Guangzhou Group Co., Ltd., reported full restoration of all train services previously affected by the storms. Power supply has been restored to over 99 percent of affected users in Guangdong.
The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated 100 million yuan in emergency funding to support post-disaster reconstruction in Guangdong, with priority given to repair damaged roads, water supply systems, hospitals and other crucial public infrastructure.
Meteorological authorities expect a new round of rainfall to dampen northern China from Thursday evening to Saturday with accumulated precipitation exceeding 200mm in parts of Shaanxi, Gansu, southern Hebei, Henan, and Shandong Provinces, prompting alerts for potential mountain floods and other geological disasters.
Heavy rainfall triggers flooding in central China as northern regions brace for downpour
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
