HAIKOU, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Son-Tinh, the ninth typhoon this year, made landfall at around 4:50 a.m. Wednesday in Wanning, south China's island province of Hainan, bringing gales of up to 23 meters per second at its eye, according to local meteorological authorities.

The typhoon was moving at a speed of up to 40 km per hour when it made landfall. It is estimated to be heading west at around 25 km per hour, and should leave Hainan around noon Wednesday, the meteorological authorities said.

High-speed trains on the island have been ordered to stop services until noon Wednesday.

Ferry services on the Qiongzhou Strait between Hainan and Guangdong have been suspended since 4:00 p.m. Tuesday and all fishing boats in the area have been ordered to return to the harbors.