Eastern Chinese regions are bracing for Typhoon Bebinca, which is approaching the country's heavily-populated seaboard and is forecast to make landfall as early as late Sunday, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) announced.
Typhoon Bebinca is tracking northwestward at 20-25 kilometers per hour across the East China Sea while picking up intensity in the process. It is forecast to make landfall sometime between late Sunday and Monday morning along the coast from Taizhou in Zhejiang to Qidong in Jiangsu, packing heavy downpours and powerful winds, according to the CMA.
Between Sunday evening and Monday morning, heavy rains are expected to lash the eastern and northern parts of Zhejiang, and secondary disasters such as flooding, landslides and mudflow are likely to impact many urban areas.
The Ministry of Water Resources on Saturday issued a Level-IV emergency response, the lowest in China's four-tier alert system, of flooding in Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui.
The ministry highlighted the prevention of floods in small and medium-sized rivers and mountain torrents in the affected areas to safeguard people's lives and property.
Bebinca's expected landfall comes during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a public holiday in China which runs from Sunday to Tuesday this year, during which numerous people will be traveling.
All the eastern Chinese regions forecast to be in Bebinca's path have recalled ships to port and are monitoring risks of flash floods and geological disasters.
Popular tourist attractions along the coast in Zhejiang's Haining City and Shanghai have boarded up their doors and made necessary reinforcements to their facilities.
East China steps up safeguard measures as Typhoon Bebinca approaches
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
