Beijing, Aug. 24 -- South China's island province of Hainan upgraded its emergency response to the highest level on Sunday morning as Typhoon Kajiki approaches, Xinhua reported.

As of 8am, the typhoon -- packing winds of up to 38meters per second, was located about 210km southeast of the province's resort city of Sanya.

It is strengthening and moving toward the southern coast of Hainan, and is forecast to make landfall or pass near the coast on Sunday afternoon or evening.

Authorities have evacuated a total of 20,728 people from potentially hazardous areas. All 30,769 local fishing boats have returned to port or are sheltering safely -- with over 21,000 crew members moved to the shore.

Hainan has prepared more than 7,70,000 items of e...