IN BRIEF (Page 8)

BEIJING

Heatwave to linger in central China

A heatwave will sweep China's central regions in the coming week, while rains are forecast in the south, the meteorological authority said on Tuesday. The Huanghuai and Jianghuai plains, regions along the lower reaches of the Hanjiang River and parts of the north should expect temperatures as high as 39 C over the next few days, according to a statement on the National Meteorological Center website. Experts warned that persistent high temperatures will likely have an adverse impact on crops. The center also forecast heavy rain, accompanied by strong winds, for southern and southwestern regions over the next week.