The Beijing-Zhuhai expressway, which runs through the country from south to north, was partially blocked again on Sunday, officials said.

South-bound lanes were closed due to icy surfaces, although north-bound ones remained open, they said. Soldiers and police were de-icing the road with armored vehicles.

The expressway has been repeatedly closed and re-opened over the past week due to unusual freezing weather in central and south China.

The military logistics department on Sunday sent 100,000 quilts by railway to central Hunan Province, which has been hard-hit by the winter storm.

On Saturday, the air force sent three transporters to help ship relief material from southern Guangdong Province to neighboring Hunan.

(Xinhua News Agency February 4, 2008)