Tropical storm "Koni", the eighth to approach China this year, moved closer to the southern Chinese island province of Hainan on Monday, according to the Central Meteorological Station (CMS).

By 5 a.m. Monday, the eye of the storm was located at 18 degrees north latitude and 112.1 degrees east longitude, on the South China Sea, 200 kilometers southeast of Wanning City, the CMS said in an emergency warning.

The tropical storm, with force 11 winds near the epicenter, is expected to move further northwest at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour and approach the coast of Hainan between Sanya and Wenchang late Monday afternoon.

From Monday afternoon to night, the storm will generate winds of gale force seven to nine in the central and northern parts of the South China Sea, Hainan Province, the western coast of Guangdong Province and Beibu Bay.

Most parts of Hainan Province and southwestern part of Guangdong Province will suffer heavy rainstorms.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2003)