Multiple regions embrace first snowfall of winter season this year in China

A strong cold front has swept across northern China over recent days, bringing the first snowfall of this winter season to several regions along with sharp temperature drops and strong winds.

Local authorities have taken active measures to minimize the weather's negative impact on public transportation and daily life.

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the first stop of this round of cold wave, which will bring a widespread drop in temperatures and usher in China's first large-scale snowfall this winter, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

The region's meteorological authority on Wednesday upgraded its orange alert for a cold wave to red, the highest level in China's four-tier warning system, after predicting that the lowest temperatures in the western and northern parts of Xinjiang would plunge by 16 to 20 degrees Celsius.

Due to the influence of the cold wave, light to moderate snowfall began on Thursday across most of the Turpan Basin in Xinjiang, marking the first snowfall of the winter season in many areas.

Known as the "fire continent," Turpan is one of the driest regions in China and rarely sees snow. The cold wave has draped much of the area in a blanket of white, prompting local residents to venture outdoors and to enjoy the rare and beautiful snowscape.

"[I] have long yearned for snowfall, and now that the snow has arrived, the air feels refreshingly pure. Stepping outside to a world blanketed in white brings a profound sense of clarity and brightens my spirits," said a local resident in Gaochang District, Turpan City.

Shanshan County of Turpan City has also experienced its earliest winter snowfall in nearly five years, with many residents venturing out to walk in the snow, take photos, and enjoy the wintry delights.

However, the snowfall has impacted urban transportation. To ensure road safety, relevant authorities have implemented emergency plans and conducted snow removal operations on traffic arteries.

"At intersections and key road sections within the urban area, additional personnel have been deployed to spread salt and clear snow. Real-time traffic updates are also being provided to guide vehicles and ensure the safe travel for the public," said Su Menglong, a traffic police officer from Shanshan County Traffic Police Brigade.

Beginning early Friday morning, the central and western areas of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China witnessed their first widespread snowfall of the year, accompanied by strong winds and dropping temperatures.

Meteorological authorities predict that the snowfall in Hohhot City will continue until Friday evening, bringing heavy snowfall across the city with an expected accumulation of five to 10 millimeters.

The sanitation department has been actively clearing snow from roads as it accumulates, while traffic police have deployed more personnel to guide public traffic.

Starting Thursday night, north China's Shanxi Province has experienced widespread rain and snow, accompanied by dropping temperatures, leading to the temporary closure of several highways. The Shanxi provincial meteorological center upgraded a yellow alert for snowstorms Friday morning.

To ensure safe passage on expressway, Shanxi's traffic police and highway maintenance departments are coordinating snow removal and de-icing operations. At some road sections suitable for traffic, police patrol vehicles are deployed to enforce speed control and guide stranded vehicles safely through passable sections.

Starting Thursday night, a widespread snowfall swept north China's Hebei Province from west to east, prompting some areas to activate emergency measures such as road de-icing and reinforcement of agricultural greenhouses.

The Hebei meteorological observatory forecasts that most parts of the province will experience light to moderate snow on Friday, with heavy snow expected in some areas.

Relevant authorities are urged to take comprehensive preventive measures, while the public is advised to stay warm and exercise caution to ensure traffic safety.

Multiple regions embrace first snowfall of winter season this year in China

A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for international efforts to help Central African states enhance their capacity for independent security.

Security issues in Central Africa remain worrisome as violent extremist incidents occur frequently in the Lake Chad basin and the number of terrorist attacks in the region has long remained high, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

"The international community should uphold the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and provide greater support in areas such as situational awareness, financial input, intelligence and early warning to help countries in the region enhance their capacity for independent security and reinforce the region's security defenses," he said.

The international community should provide constructive support, based on the specific national conditions of countries in the region, in fields such as election financing, reconciliation and mediation, and institutional reform, so as to play a positive role in helping these countries steadily advance their political and peace processes, the envoy noted.

At present, many countries in the region still face development challenges including high inflation, reduced aid, and difficulties in debt repayment, although the region's economy has generally achieved moderate growth, he said.

The international community, especially developed countries and multilateral financial institutions, should take actions to ease the debt burdens of countries in the region and support them in strengthening capacity in poverty reduction, employment, trade and infrastructure in line with their own development needs, so as to enhance their development resilience and consolidate the foundations for peace, he said.

Noting that China and Africa are good friends and good partners, Sun said that China firmly supports African countries in exploring a path toward modernization suited to their own national conditions.

At last month's Johannesburg summit of the Group of 20, China and South Africa jointly launched the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa. China stands ready to work with African countries to implement the key areas of cooperation outlined in the initiative and to provide support for peace, stability, development and prosperity in Central Africa, said Sun.

Chinese envoy calls for int'l efforts to help Central African countries enhance security capacity