Hong Kong Airport Authority announced that a total of 17 Hong Kong-Taiwan flights had been canceled or delayed by 9:15 a.m. (1:15 GMT) on Thursday, because Typhoon Saomei has approached Taiwan.

Of these flights, six were canceled while 11 others were delayed.

The Airport Authority urged passengers to call airways concerned to check the possible adjusted schedule of flights.

According to Taiwan meteorological departments, Typhoon Saomei has arrived at the sea waters about 180 km off Keelung by 8:00 a.m.(0:00 GMT) on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2006)