Typhoon Bebinca threatens China

BEIJING, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- China said Tuesday Typhoon Bebinca, the 17th tropical storm of the year, was building up near the Philippines and could affect its eastern shores.

Chinese forecasters said Bebinca was moving north at about 9 miles per hour. Warnings were issued to fishing boats to steer away from the storm's path, reports Xinhua news agency.

The forecast said strong winds or gales were expected to hit the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea from late Tuesday to Wednesday night.

Bebinca comes in the wake of Typhoon Xangsane, which killed scores of people in Vietnam and the Philippines, the report said.