Widespread sandstorms engulfed large swathes of Inner Mongolia on Monday, drastically reducing visibility to under 1,000 meters in some areas and prompting emergency measures at a China-Mongolia border crossing.
On the same day, the Meteorological observatory of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region issued a blue wind warning and a yellow warning for sandstorm.
The dust storms, driven by strong winds, swept eastward across the region, with the western and north-central zones—including the strategic Ganqimaodu Port in Bayannur City—bearing the brunt.
Local authorities reported near-zero visibility at the border checkpoint by around 16:00, disrupting cross-border traffic.
In response, the Ganqimaodu Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station activated an emergency protocol to maintain operations. Patrols were intensified across the port’s restricted zones, while additional officers were deployed to critical posts to guide trucks and personnel safely through the low visibility.
Authorities collaborated with customs and quarantine agencies to mitigate risks, including securing loose infrastructure and deploying emergency lighting to prevent accidents caused by flying debris.
Sandstorms hit Inner Mongolia, weather authorities issue yellow warning
A village-style fashion show featuring traditional ethnic attire from southwest China's Guizhou Province took the center stage at China International Fashion Week in Beijing, bringing the radiance of the region's intangible cultural heritage to the global stage.
A group of youngsters from Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou took the stage at the world-class fashion week, which just concluded on Friday.
Dressed in embroidered costumes and silver jewelries in the ethnic style of their communities, these youngest participants captured the attention and admiration of the audience.
"This is my first time here. These silver jewelry pieces are beautiful. They're all handmade," said Yang Shengxi, a child model from Guizhou.
At the village fashion show, a five-year-old girl in splendid ethnic attire stunned the audience by sitting on an agricultural tool carried on the shoulder of her 70-year-old grandfather. In the ethnic areas of Guizhou, it's common to see elders carrying children in baskets or on poles. The performance team brought this everyday scene to the runway, adding a distinctive local touch that set it apart from other fashion shows.
"At the fashion show in our village, this girl even carried a birdcage with a bird inside. They're simply showing what they love. These represent thousands of years of cultural heritage, and we're just the carriers, bringing it to the runway. Next, we will bring our show to the Osaka World Expo in Japan and the United Nations Climate Change Conference, showing the world the beauty of Guizhou and rural China," said Yang Chunlin, a fashion designer from the Miao ethnic group and the show's founder.
In addition, at the Fashion Week in Beijing, a number of runway shows featured elements of folk customs and intangible cultural heritage from across China. More than half of the brands and designers included traditional Chinese aesthetic elements and cultural heritage into their designs, making this a prominent aspect of the fashion event.
"At this year's China International Fashion Week, designers and brands from 12 different countries helped spread Chinese culture around the world. The event allowed designers to connect with inheritors of China's intangible cultural heritage, helping designers better understand the essence of these traditions. The goal was to showcase Chinese fashion and Eastern beauty through modern designs and global perspectives," said Xie Fangming, vice president of the China Fashion Designers Association.
Guizhou village fashion show highlights traditional ethnic costumes
