Vongfeng, a strong tropical cyclone, is rapidly approaching coastal areas of south China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces, according to a forecast from China's Central Meteorological Station Monday morning.

Originating in the South China Sea Saturday afternoon, Vongfengis expected to strike the coastal areas extending from Wanning, Hainan province to Taishan, Guangdong province Monday night or Tuesday.

The eye of the cyclone was about 170 kilometers (105.6 miles) to the southeast of Wanning at five o'clock Monday morning, with the maximum gale force 6-8 winds on the Beaufort scale, the forecast said.

The forecast indicated that the South China Sea, the Beibu Gulfand the coastal areas of Guangdong and Hainan provinces would be hit by gale force 6-8 winds throughout Monday owing to the impact of Vongfang.

In addition, the cyclone center will produce gale force winds of up to force 8-10 in surrounding sea areas. Most parts of Hainan,the eastern parts of Guangdong and the Guangxi Autonomous Region, all in south China, will have heavy rains or rainstorms.

(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2002)