BEIJING, May 9 -- China's national observatory on Thursday continued to issue a blue alert for gales, as strong winds of varying intensity are expected to lash parts of the country.

From 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, strong winds are forecast to hit some areas in Liaoning, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi and Hebei, according to the National Meteorological Center.

Meanwhile, parts of the Bohai Sea, the Bohai Strait, the Yellow Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the Bashi Channel and the South China Sea will experience high-intensity gales during this period, according to the meteorological center.

It has warned ships to be cautious of safety risks while navigating or operating in waters affected by gales. Furthermore, it has urged relevant departments to implement precautionary measures focused on fire prevention and transport safety.

Pedestrians and vehicles have been advised to avoid lingering under or near tall buildings, billboards, or trees.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for strong winds, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.