BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authority raised the level of alert for Typhoon Fanapi to the second highest on Sunday as it nears the country's south coast.

Fanapi, the 11th typhoon to hit China this year, will move westward at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour, and make landfall between Monday morning and noon at the coast between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said.

The shipping route linking Xiamen in Fujian Province, and Jinmen, in Taiwan, was closed Sunday with Fanapi approaching, said local authorities.

CMA urged local authorities to make full preparations to guard against the strongest typhoon this year.

Zhu Xiaoxiang, an expert with CMA, expected Fanapi to subside somewhat shortly after making landfall, and heavy rains were unlikely during the upcoming Chinese traditional mid-autumn festival, which will fall on September 22 this year.