Authorities in east China's Fujian Province have rescued 23 people, including 19 children, who were stranded on rocky islands after being pulled away from shore by treacherous waters whipped by a looming typhoon attack on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone off the coast of Fujian. Up to 23 people had been out on paddle boards when they were pulled away from shore by strong currents generated.
Upon receiving the emergency call at 16:53, law enforcement officers of the Pingtan Coast Guard Bureau rushed to the scene and worked quickly to rescue the stranded.
Fujian raised the emergency response level for typhoons from Level IV to Level III on Tuesday in the face of Typhoon Gaemi, the third of this year.
After arriving at the rock, the law enforcement officers deftly jumped on the rocks and gave priority to the frightened children.
Working carefully, the maritime police were able to ferry the 23 stranded individuals, one by one, from the rocky outcroppings to the safety of their patrol boats, and then to the land.
All 23 people rescued, including the 19 children, were reported to be in good health condition.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall along the eastern coast of central or northern Taiwan on Wednesday night. After crossing the island, it is projected to make a second landfall in China on Thursday afternoon along the coast between Fujian's Fuding and Jinjiang, said the observatory.
The typhoon will further move northward to inland areas of China.
A Level-IV response is the lowest level in China's four-tier emergency response system.
23 stranded, including 19 children, safely rescued as typhoon Gaemi nears
23 stranded, including 19 children, safely rescued as typhoon Gaemi nears
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
