Typhoon Conson, likely the first to hit China this year, is expected to make landfall in southern Guangdong Province on Thursday or Friday, according to meteorological forecast.

Typhoon Conson left waters east of the Philippines and began heading towards the South China Sea early Tuesday morning.

The typhoon is packing wind speeds of 119 kilometers per hour.

Liang Jian, chief weatherman at the Guangdong meteorological station, said the typhoon will continue to gather strength as it approaches Guangdong at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.

It is expected to bring heavy rainfall to southern parts of China.

Authorities Tuesday also warned ships about the typhoon and ordered relevant government departments to prepare for the typhoon.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2010)