Parts of northeast China and the country's northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region will see lingering snowfalls from Wednesday to Thursday as a nationwide cold wave gradually weakens after bringing days of temperature drop.
Most of China has been experiencing a relatively strong cold wave since last Saturday with Tuesday witnessing the most drastic temperature drop.
From Wednesday to Thursday, northeast China will see weakening snowfalls, while in western and northern Heilongjiang Province as well as the northeastern part of Inner Mongolia there will still be moderate to heavy snow.
Qitaihe City in Heilongjiang, had been experiencing strengthening snowfalls since Tuesday afternoon with rains turning into big snow. As of 9:00 Wednesday, the city has received 16 millimeters of snowfall.
Local authorities sent personnel and snowplows to remove ice and snow from streets to ensure smooth traffic.
Nearby Heihe City was hit by blizzard with snow starting from Monday afternoon. Local meteorological department forecast that the snowfall will gradually weaken from Wednesday.
Livestock also received attention from the authorities as temperature drops. In Suibin County, Hegang City of Heilongjiang, specialists were sent to villages to provide guidance to farmers, helping them check facilities and prepare sufficient fodder stock.
Traffic controls were imposed upon sections of expressways in north China's Shanxi Province after central and northern parts of the region have be blanketed by snowfalls since Tuesday afternoon.
Genhe City in Inner Mongolia has seen three consecutive days of snowfalls with daytime temperature dropping to around minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Sanitation workers have been removing snow, and traffic police have increased patrol and strengthened control on key road sections.
Local meteorological department forecast that this round of snow in Genhe will end Thursday and by that time the city will see the lowest temperature drop to around minus 24 degrees Celsius.
Parts of China see lingering snowfalls as cold wave weakens
Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm expressed optimism about China's ongoing economic liberalization, signaling the company's intent to capitalize on the opportunities by increasing purchases from Chinese suppliers.
Stausholm commended the recent meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, highlighting productive discussions on the company's ongoing initiatives and contributions to China's development.
"We meet our customers, but we also meet our suppliers and we still learn about the strengths of the whole ecosystem of suppliers in China. [And] all sorts of mining equipment, we just talked about how we could develop new EV trucks, but it could be conveyor belts, it could be all sorts of equipment. We keep on spending more and more money here in China. We are likely to exceed four billion dollars of purchases in China this year, because you got amazing suppliers that are both cost competitive and deliver high quality. So, it actually strengthens our business," said Stausholm.
China's recent announcement of zero restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing has paved the way for increased global participation in the sector. Stausholm capitalized on this opportunity by revealing plans to expand sourcing from Chinese suppliers.
"We're trying to take advantage of China's opening-up by using more Chinese suppliers around the world. I have to say from our perspective, we have never seen China [this] close. Right now, we are selling more than half of our global production into China. So far, it's been fairly frictionless trade with China. It's admirable," he said.
Meanwhile, Rio Tinto Chair Dominic Barton underscored that global businesses can play a unifying role in defending and promoting supply chain coordination and free trade, when addressing the opening of the second China International Supply Chain Expo on Tuesday in Beijing.
The expo, which runs through Saturday, has drawn more than 600 companies from around the globe. These exhibitors, including Rio Tinto, Apple and Baowu Steel, are showcasing their latest technologies and products, while seeking cooperation in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing and green agriculture to clean energy.
As the first of its kind in the world to focus on fostering supply chain cooperation, the expo, emerging at a time when "decoupling and breaking chains" are on the rise, aims to build up consensus, help companies integrate into global industrial chains, and promote win-win cooperation.
Rio Tinto CEO praises China's opening-up, eyes deeper cooperation with Chinese suppliers
