A cold wave has brought heavy snow across much of central China's Henan Province since Monday, disrupting traffic while triggering road closures and school suspensions in multiple cities.
In Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan, transport authorities launched snow removal and road maintenance operations to keep traffic moving. Over 4,800 pieces of machinery and over 36,000 staff members were deployed on site.
As of 06:00 on Tuesday, traffic on major arterial roads and expressways resumed, though some secondary streets still held accumulated snow, with relevant departments continuing intensive removal efforts.
Affected by the heavy snow, over 500 trucks were stranded at toll stations on highways in Jiyuan City on Monday afternoon. Local traffic authorities coordinated efforts to guide them toward their destinations, implementing safety measures.
Highways across the province remain under traffic control on Tuesday.
Rail services responded swiftly as well. The local railway authority launched an emergency response on Monday, mobilizing more than 10,000 staff to clear snow from rail tracks.
Meanwhile, schools in various cities, including Zhengzhou, Luohe, and Xinyang, issued notices of a two-day class suspension on Monday, with resumption dates to be determined based on weather conditions.
By 12:00 on Tuesday, a total of 241 sections of national and provincial highways across 12 provinces in China have been proactively closed or restricted due to the low temperature and heavy snow. Among these, 56 sections are fully closed, and 185 toll stations have halted operations for safety.
Heavy snow sweeps central China's Henan, disrupting traffic, closing schools
China's development is an opportunity, not a threat, and China is willing to leverage its market advantages and share its opportunities with other countries, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
China adheres to the principles of equality, mutual benefit and resolving issues through consultation to create win-win and multi-win outcomes, he added during his special address at the forum.
"China's development presents an opportunity, not a threat, to the world's economy. When it comes to differences and misunderstandings in international economic and trade cooperation, China calls for equal consultation to enhance mutual trust, bridge differences and solve problems," said He.
The vice premier highlighted that China will continue to expand its opening-up.
"China will open its door still wider to the world. China will actively expand voluntary opening-up, and proactively align with high-standard international economic and trade rules. China will continue to foster a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment, provide equal treatment for both domestic and foreign enterprises. We welcome foreign enterprises to continue to invest in China and share in China's opportunities. We hope governments of other countries can provide a fair, non-discriminatory, transparent and predictable investment environment for Chinese enterprises," he said.
Under the theme "A Spirit of Dialogue", the 2026 WEF meeting opened on Monday in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos and will run through Friday. About 3,000 leaders and experts from around the world are gathering to discuss five pressing global challenges, including enhancing cooperation, unlocking new sources of growth and deploying innovation at scale and responsibly.
China willing to leverage its market advantages, share opportunities with world: vice premier
