Overview

• Parts of China, including Shanxi, Hebei and Liaoning provinces, are experiencing their lowest temperatures since records began.
• The city of Yichun in Heilongjiang could break a record low of minus 47.9 degrees Celsius, set in January 1980, early next week.
• The agriculture ministry has launched an emergency response, and the national disaster prevention body has issued a directive for local authorities to prepare emergency plans and snow and ice removal equipment.
• Authorities have been directed to ensure the storage of thermal coal in advance to maintain normal power generation during the critical period.
• Despite the severe cold, conditions in Beijing are improving, with the local forecaster reducing the severity of its weather warning and schools set to reopen after several days of closure.