A snowfall in tandem with the coming of spring hit the Chinese capital of Beijing on Sunday, the day marking the beginning of Spring (1st solar term) for 2001.

Local meteorological sources said that due to cold air arriving from eastern Inner Mongolia it started snowing Saturday and by 8 am Sunday, the snow was 0.4-0.6 mm deep in downtown Beijing and 0.8 mm deep in mountainous areas.

Experts said that the snow is favorable for purifying the air, easing drought and growing crops.

The snowfall caused the closure of some local highways, but flights at the Capital International Airport remained on schedule.

The snowfall is expected to last for two to three days, according sources.

(People's Daily 02/05/2001)