Rescue and recovery crews worked through the night in the critical hours after Typhoon Dolphin hit Yuhuan of Taizhou City in east China's Zhejiang Province on Sunday afternoon, with personnel braving the weather to clear fallen trees and repair power systems in the city which bore the brunt of the initial landfall.
Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the year, made landfall in the county-level city of Yuhuan at around 17:30 on Sunday, with the maximum sustained wind near the typhoon center hitting Force 14, or 42 meters per second, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).
Emergency teams braved the extreme downpours and strong winds in the Yuhuan area as they sought to repair damaged infrastructure and clear away fallen branches and collapsed trees, with heavy machinery brought in to assist the operation. Due to these overnight efforts, the city's major roads were all cleared by the next morning.
"The biggest problem Typhoon Dolphin has left us within Yuhuan is fallen trees. To ensure 24-hour road accessibility, we worked with Yuhuan's dedicated fire truck crews and leaders from all sectors, to keep the main roads of the Yucheng district clear around the clock. No matter what the typhoon brings, we stand ready at our post at all times," said Lin Xiangbiao, head of the Yuhuan Red Eagle Rescue Team, an emergency response group which was mobilized.
The intensity of the typhoon has also impacted on the electricity supply in local areas, with more than 600 households suffering power cuts in a village on the outskirts of Yuhuan.
Maintenance workers have been busy in their bid to restore these supplies as quickly as possible, with most urban zones now re-connected, with work continuing in the outlying mountainous areas.
"The high-voltage wires on this pole got twisted together in the storm, causing sparks which caught fire. We're working to replace it right now," said Wu Jinxin, a staff member of the Huanshan Power Supply Station.
Rescue crews work round clock to clear Typhoon Dolphin damage in Zhejiang
American high schoolers kicked off an eight-day tour of China on Monday, playing series of friendly pickleball and table tennis matches with local students in Beijing.
During their time in the Chinese capital, the students from the U.S. state of Iowa also practiced Wushu, an ancient form of Chinese martial arts, and visited the Olympic Education Museum.
Their trip will also take them to Qingdao, a coastal city in eastern China's Shandong Province, and Hebi City in central China's Henan Province, where they will visit cultural and natural attractions, according to China's Ministry of Education.
The sports exchange took place at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, one of the main stops of the 2026 U.S. Youth Pickleball People-to-People Exchange China Tour.
Originating in the United States, pickleball is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The popularity of the three sports in China has helped fuel pickleball's growing appeal across the country.
"I've had a lot of fun. I've learned a couple of new things. And I've been able to share those experiences with new people I've been meeting," said Nora Say, a high school student from Iowa.
Pickleball has grown increasingly popular among young people in both countries, leading to its incorporation into youth exchange programs in recent years. Students built connections through the game.
"Honestly, working with him was probably the best part. Just like being with your teammate out there, and trying your best," said Anthony Aguilar, a high school student from Iowa, speaking about his Chinese pickleball partner.
"We are very happy. I enjoy playing with him," said Yu Zongsheng, a student from Capital Normal University Pingguoyuan High School.
Table tennis, a sport with a rich history in China, was another part of the exchange. Before the U.S. students arrived, their Chinese peers got ready to welcome them and introduce them to the game.
"I prepared by thinking about some simple ways to communicate with them, practicing more to get a better feel for the game, and figuring out how I could help them get a better understanding of table tennis," said Cui Yimeng, a student from Capital University of Physical Education and Sports.
The visitors said they learned a lot about the sport during the exchange.
"I think it's pretty fun. I did not expect a lot of certainties on how to hold the paddle, where to put your fingers, how to angle your paddle," said Elsie Aguilar, a recent high school graduate from Iowa.
Sports have played a notable role in China-U.S. relations for decades. In 1971, a U.S. table tennis team made a historic trip to China, marking the reopening of channels for friendly people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
China launched an initiative in November 2023 to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit the country for exchange and educational programs over a five-year period. According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 50,000 young Americans have since visited China, reaching the target two-and-a-half years ahead of schedule.
US students visiting Beijing enjoy sports exchanges with Chinese peers
