East China braces for super typhoon Maria

Coastal areas in eastern China have kept a close eye on the progress of super typhoon Maria and have activated emergency measures to cope with it - the eighth typhoon this year.

Maria, which formed on Wednesday in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, grew to wind with speeds up to 209 kilometers per hour within 36 hours. It is expected to make landfall in the northeastern part of Taiwan and central Fujian province on the morning of July 11. Ferocious winds and heavy seas will accompany the typhoon, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters in Beijing.

In Fujian, all fishing boats were ordered to return to harbor by Tuesday at noon, and all personnel at offshore fish farms were told to retreat to land by 6 pm Tuesday. The province also urged all of its coastal tourist resorts to close by 6 pm on Tuesday.