The harsh cold came on the heels of the longest snowfall the Chinese capital has witnessed in 128 years, much of which still remains in the city.

After 17 years of comparatively warm winters, Beijing residents are facing rare freezing and windy weather, which experts attribute to a strong cold front coming from Mongolia.

The city's meteorological authority said the average temperature from Jan. 1 to 4 was 3.4 degrees centigrade lower than that of the same period in the past 30 years, while the average temperature of December was also one degree centigrade lower than the same month of the past 30 years.

The strong wind was accompanied by light golden sunlight in the city, and the mountains in the western suburbs, capped with snow against the blue sky, could be seen from the downtown.

People in the streets were wearing heavy coats, hats, gloves and scarves while restaurants serving hotpot were doing good business.

Children went skating on frozen lakes in the city, bursting into laughter from time to time.

"I feel so good," said Chang Ying, exercising at a downtown gym, where many young people were playing table tennis, badminton or other games. Iron armrests on buses were covered with cloth to make them easier for passengers to hold, while trees and flowers along the streets were sheltered by plastic wrap and hay.

It was warm in the new city subway, undergoing a trial run Sunday, due to the heating pipeline laid under the seats.

The city's heating system has been put into full operation and the heating station pledged to keep the indoor temperature at 16 degrees centigrade.

Several government hotlines have been opened for residents to call for help about the heating.

However, the city's first-aid center reported 200 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in December as there were still some houses burning coal for heating.

"I do feel warm and settled this winter though it is cold outside," said Zhang Shufang, who had just received government aid according to the minimum standard of living for city residents a month ago.

Her husband hurt his hands last year and is no longer able to work, while her daughter has been out of work since graduating from high school.

Zhang spent part of the money in preparing for the coming spring festival, the Chinese traditional New Year.

Wang Kun, 77, who also received aid as a resident with the minimum income, got another 600 yuan (US$72.58) from the government for the new year, which allowed him to make the room warm and fill the refrigerator with food.

(People's Daily January 6, 2002)