Beijing expressways close for foggy weather

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A heavy fog that settled into the Chinese capital starting on Tuesday shut down several expressways linking Beijing with surrounding provinces, city authorities said on Wednesday.

The fog reduced visibility to less than 500 meters, the municipal meteorological observatory said.

The road transport administration of the Beijing Public Security Bureau closed at least four trunk expressways linking Beijing with Shenyang, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, and Kaifeng in central Henan Province.

The eastern wing of the new Sixth Ring, which encircles outer Beijing, was also closed.

A clerk at the flight information hotline at the Capital International Airport told Xinhua that the fog had delayed several inbound and outbound flights, but no cancellations had been reported by 9 a.m.

Fog also delayed flights and led to expressway closures on Wednesday in China's northeast Liaoning and Jilin provinces.

In Liaoning, residents were advised to stay indoors and wear masks if they had to go outside.

Liu Haifeng, deputy director of the Jilin meteorological station, warned the public about carbon monoxide poisoning and reminded residents to keep their homes well-ventilated.

Meteorological authorities predicted the fog would dissipate on Wednesday afternoon.