Strong wind disrupts Beijing air, rail traffic

A fierce wind sweeps through Beijing today. The Beijing Meteorological Bureau has issued a blue alarm against strong winds with speed up to a maximum 8-grade by the midnight. (Photo: CNS/Zhang Hao)

A kiosk falls on a car in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2012. Strong winds hit Beijing and neighboring areas Friday. The Beijing Municipal Meteorological Station issued a blue alert about the gales, which reached more than 60 km per hour. (Xinhua/Zang Xinhan)

BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Strong winds hit Beijing and neighboring areas Friday, causing delays to flights and high-speed trains, according to local authorities.

The Beijing Municipal Meteorological Station issued warnings about the gales, which reached more than 60 km per hour.

More than 20 flights have been delayed at Beijing Capital International Airport, and six others canceled, airport spokespeople told reporters.

Meanwhile, authorities with Beijing South Railway Station, the departure point for the capital's high-speed trains, announced that winds had forced some trains bound for Shanghai to slow down and led to delays.

By 2:20 p.m., nine high-speed trains had been delayed, the Shanghai Railway Bureau confirmed.