Typhoon Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year, made landfall in China's Taiwan region on Wednesday afternoon, as coastal regions on the Chinese mainland are bracing for its expected impact later in the day.
Warnings had earlier been issued across Taiwan as the typhoon approached, with China's National Meteorological Center recording peak wind speeds of 35 meters per second at its center, while some forecasts predicted it would later pack winds of up to 50 meters per second, classing it as a severe typhoon.
After crossing Taiwan Island and entering the Taiwan Strait, Podul is expected to weaken and make a second landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning along coastal areas of east China's Fujian and the southern Guangdong Province.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated emergency response measures for flood and typhoon prevention in Fujian and Guangdong on Tuesday afternoon, while China's Ministry of Natural Resources also launched emergency response protocol for geological disaster prevention and marine disaster response as the typhoon nears.
The typhoon also forced the closure of numerous scenic areas and the temporary suspension of offshore construction projects and railway maintenance work in areas deemed at risk.
Parks and scenic spots across the Taiwan region began closing on Tuesday, while many businesses such as restaurants also took precautionary measures such as erecting temporary barriers to protect from the strong winds.
In Fujian, the majority of offshore construction projects have been suspended, while over 200 construction vessels were relocated to safe areas by 15:00 on Tuesday.
Local maritime safety authorities in Fujian have also carried out inspections on ships docked at ports, urging them to prepare for the possible impact of the incoming storm.
The imminent arrival of the typhoon is also set to impact on transportation, with ticket sales for some passenger trains and high-speed railways being suspended by the China Railway Nanchang Group and China Railway Guangzhou Group.
Tropical storm Podul makes landfall in Taiwan
Tropical storm Podul makes landfall in Taiwan
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
