Huge waves and strong winds are unleashed as Maria lands in Wenling city, Zhejiang province on Wednesday morning. [Photo/Xinhua]

Coastal areas in eastern China have kept a close eye on the progress of super typhoon Maria and have activated emergency measures to cope with it - the eighth typhoon this year.

Maria, which formed on July 4 in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, grew to wind with speeds up to 209 kilometers per hour within 36 hours. It is expected to make landfall in the northeastern part of Taiwan and central Fujian province on the morning of July 11. Ferocious winds and heavy seas will accompany the typhoon, according to the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters in Beijing.

Zhejiang, a coastal province in East China, has activated an emergency response to cope with the approaching typhoon.

Government officials urged all relevant departments to make an overall plan and try their best to reduce typhoon-related damage.

Local authorities issued notices asking all ships at sea to return to harbors and asked transport and tourism departments to halt all sea operations, leisure fishing and seashore tourist activities.

Ships return to harbor in Taizhou, Zhejiang province on July 8. [Photo/Xinhua]