FUZHOU, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Two shipping routes in southeast China will be closed amid the approach of Typhoon Saola, local customs authorities said Tuesday.

A shipping route linking the town of Mawei in Fujian and Matzu was closed Tuesday afternoon, the customs office of the city of Fuzhou said.

The customs office of the city of Quanzhou said a route linking Quanzhou with Kinmen will be closed starting from Wednesday morning.

Typhoon Saola, the ninth typhoon of the year, has strengthened and and is approaching coastal regions in southeastern Fujian, which has started to prepare for possible disasters brought about by the typhoon.

Typhoon Saola is expected to reach seas off the northeast coast of Taiwan on Thursday and approach Fujian and Zhejiang provinces on Friday, according to the Fujian Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters. Enditem