South China provinces upgrade typhoon emergency responses

China

South China provinces upgrade typhoon emergency responses

2025-10-04 17:07 Last Updated At：21:57

The southern Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Hainan on Saturday upgraded their emergency typhoon responses as Typhoon Matmo, the 21st named storm of the 2025 Pacific typhoon season, approaches.

The Guangdong flood control headquarters upgraded its emergency typhoon response to Level II, the second-highest level, from Level IV at 09:00, as heavy rain and strong winds are expected in the next 48 hours.

At 09:00, Typhoon Matmo was located about 670 kilometers southeast of Xuwen County in Guangdong Province, packing winds of up to 33 meters per second at its center, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Matmo, which has strengthened to typhoon level, was moving northwestward at a speed of roughly 25 kilometers per hour while still increasing in intensity.

Matmo is expected to make landfall as a typhoon or severe typhoon on Sunday morning along the coast -- in an area ranging from Dianbai in Guangdong to Wanning in Hainan.

Fishing boats in affected sea locations off Guangdong have been ordered to return to ports for shelter, while relevant projects have been suspended.

Local authorities in Guangdong have been instructed to enhance forecasts, issue timely warnings, implement emergency response measures, and relocate residents living in vulnerable areas.

Meanwhile, in Hainan, the provincial committee for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief upgraded their emergency typhoon response for vessels and marine operations in affected sea areas to Level III from a Level-IV emergency response at 08:30 on Saturday.

Haikou, the provincial capital of Hainan, plans to suspend classes (including tutoring institutions), work activities, public transportation, and park and business operations from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, according to the Haikou committee for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief.

Also, Haikou Meilan International Airport is scheduled to cancel all inbound and outbound flights starting from 23:00 on Saturday.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.

Over 20 films expected to hit Chinese screens during Qingming Festival Holiday

More than 20 films will hit Chinese screens during the three-day Qingming Festival holiday from Saturday to Monday, spanning genres from revolutionary historical dramas, realism movies to suspense thrillers, according to the China Film Administration on Thursday.

Revolutionary historical films such as Blood-Spattered Cliff, Eight Sons, Eight Soldiers, and Half Of The Quilt, will pay tribute to martyrs through the lens.

Three films -- It's OK, Now I Met Her, and Sunshine Women's Choir -- tell moving stories of love, growth, and reconciliation.

It's OK is a contemporary family comedy that follows a mother and daughter navigating their joyful yet turbulent relationship. Now I Met Her tells a rebellious teenager who gets to know his late mother through her old diary. Sunshine Women's Choir, a film from the Taiwan region of China, portrays the "perfect" maternal love of "imperfect mothers."

The suspense film Game of Identity tells the story of two people from different backgrounds who accidentally swap lives, setting off an unexpected adventure. The documentary films Seeking Nature: The Code of Life, and Missions to the Moon (Part One) explore the connection between humanity and science.

Imported films from different countries, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2, Project Hail Mary, and Hoppers, will deliver spectacular cinematic experiences to audiences.

The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, falls on April 5 this year. It is a traditional Chinese festival for honoring the deceased and paying tribute to ancestors. The holiday also provides a short break for Chinese citizens as they engage in outdoor activities and sightseeing.