BEIJING - Typhoon Mekkhala is approaching China, bringing strong winds to the South China Sea, the National Meteorological Center (NMC) said Sunday.

Mekkhala, the first typhoon in 2015, is forecast to move northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour after barreling into the Philippines on Saturday afternoon.

Gales will sweep waters around Huangyan Islands, Zhongsha Islands, Xisha Islands, Taiwan and off the coastal province of Fujian from Sunday night to Monday night, according to the NMC.