Fujian halts ferry services, construction work as Typhoon Champi approaches

Maritime authorities in east China's Fujian Province on Wednesday suspended ferry services and marine construction work in affected areas as Typhoon Champi approached with strong winds, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration said.

Typhoon Champi, this year's 30th typhoon, was forecast to enter Fujian's typhoon warning zone around midday Thursday. A day earlier, winds of up to 60 kilometers per hour affected the province's coastal waters and major fishing grounds.

As of 12:00 on Wednesday, 12 passenger ferry routes and 31 ferry vessels had been suspended, while 49 marine construction projects were halted.

Meanwhile, the administration also strengthened maritime traffic management and scheduling, and monitored anchorage capacity and traffic flow in real time to guide vessels to take shelter safely and in an orderly manner.

Fujian halts ferry services, construction work as Typhoon Champi approaches

The first batch of winter migratory birds have arrived at the Hengling Lake Nature Reserve in Xiangyin County of central China's Hunan Province, about half a month earlier than in previous years.

Common cranes, Eurasian spoonbills and water birds including falcated ducks, ruddy shelducks and cormorants are seen strolling about and pecking for food at the lake.

Sitting at the confluence of East Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake, the lake serves as a vital stopover and wintering ground along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Staff members said the reserve will receive the peak number of migratory birds in mid-November every year.

Workers are conducting regular patrols and strengthening the reserve management to create a favorable environment for the migratory birds.

Winter migratory birds arrive at nature reserve in central China's Hunan

Winter migratory birds arrive at nature reserve in central China's Hunan