BEIJING - Strong winds and heavy rains are forecast to hit China`s eastern coast as tropical storm Meari is moving northwest from the southern Yellow Sea waters, according to a statement issued by the nation`s meteorological authority Sunday.

Clouds gather above Shanghai as tropical storm Meari approaches, June 25, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The tropical storm Meari will shave off the eastern coasts of Shandong Peninsula or may make a landfall around the region between Sunday afternoon and evening before shifting to head northeastward to the border areas between the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea and China, said the National Meteorological Center (NMC) of China Meteorological Administration in the statement.

NMC also predicted that between 8 am Sunday through 8 am Monday, the eye of the tropical storm would pack gusts of winds and strong breeze of force 6 to 10 in a vast east China sea waters starting eastern and northern Taiwan in the south, coupled with heavy rains in parts of southeastern Liaoning province and of northeastern Shandong Peninsula in the north.

The statement urged local government agencies to closely monitor the movement of the tropical storm and issue early warnings to the public in a timely manner.

As a precaution, NMC suggested that ships should return to harbors to avoid damage, outdoor gatherings be canceled, dangerous buildings be fixed or removed, and local government departments be on guard and well prepared for response in case of emergencies.