Sandstorms, strong winds sweep across northern China

Strong winds and sandstorms swept across multiple northern regions of China on Saturday, prompting authorities to activate emergency measures to ensure public safety and the smooth operation of the ongoing Spring Festival travel rush.

On Friday, the National Meteorological Center issued yellow warnings for strong winds and sandstorms, as well as a blue alert for a cold wave.

The Chinese capital of Beijing experienced strong gales with speeds reaching 41.5-46.1 meters per second on Saturday afternoon. The strong winds brought sand and dust, significantly reducing the visibility.

Authorities have temporarily closed certain outdoor scenic spots and suspended some Chinese New Year activities from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning due to a yellow warning for strong winds and a blue warning for sandstorms in effect in the city.

The violent winds, cold fronts, and blowing dust also affected Tianjin Municipality. As people begin returning from the nearly concluded Spring Festival holiday, the railway authorities have implemented response measures to ensure safe operations.

"We have reinforced safety reminders and guidance regarding movable items and passengers' luggage to prevent them from falling off the platform," said Shi Tong, a duty officer at Tianjin Railway Station.

In the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the Hohhot Bureau of China Railway has activated a peak-period timetable to cope with unfavorable weather conditions.

"We have optimized the ticket verification process and increased staffing to provide guidance and reduce passengers' waiting time on platforms. At the same time, we are conducting thorough inspections of equipment and facilities so that we can respond immediately if strong winds blow any objects onto the tracks and ensure passenger safety," said Feng Wei, a duty officer at Baotou Station.

Most areas of Shanxi Province also experienced strong gales and blowing sand brought by the cold air on Saturday. In Datong City, residents were seen wearing heavier clothing, hats, scarves, and masks to protect themselves from the strong winds and thick dust. Local traffic authorities promptly stepped up efforts to warn and guide drivers.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Sandstorms, strong winds sweep across northern China

Sandstorms, strong winds sweep across northern China

China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.

In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.

"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.

This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.

By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.

China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.

The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.

"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.

China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting