Tropical storm Fengshen hit the southeast coast of China early on Wednesday, bringing about heavy rains and strong winds.

The storm made the landfall in the coastal area of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, at 5:30 a.m. with winds of up to 83 kilometers per hour, according to the provincial meteorological station.

Heavy rains and gales had already hit central and southern parts of the province, it said.

The station said the storm would continue to move north and lose strength.

More than 13,000 ships in Guangdong returned to harbor ahead of the storm's arrival.

Within an hour of landfall, monitoring stations in Shenzhen had reported rainfall of up to 38 millimeters.

The Shenzhen meteorological station forecast downpours of up to 200 mm would hit the city Wednesday and Thursday.

As of 8 a.m., no casualties had been reported, the city's flood control authorities said.

Middle and primary schools in Shenzhen have suspended classes.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2008)