Tropical Storm Lekima, the 15th tropical storm this year, is approaching south China's island province of Hainan and is expected to land in the south of the island or pass by on Wednesday, local meteorological authorities said on Monday.

Formed at 11 AM on Sunday over the South China Sea, the tropical storm was located at 14.9 degrees north latitude and 112.8 degrees east longitude at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, about 520 km southeast of Sanya, according to the Hainan Provincial Meteorological Observatory.

Lekima is packing winds of about 90 kilometers per hour at its eye and is heading towards northwest at a speed of 10 to 15 km per hour, and is gaining momentum.

It is expected to land in the southern part of the island or pass by Hainan on Wednesday.

Local authorities have recalled all the fishing boats to harbor.

Lekima is a type of fruit in Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2007)