Tropical Storm Ma-on heads for south-eastern China

Rescuers help residents move to safer ground in Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, northern Philippines (Philippine Coast Guard/AP)

Tropical Storm Ma-on was heading for Hong Kong and other parts of south-eastern China on Wednesday after displacing thousands in the Philippines.

The Hong Kong Observatory warned of flooding in low-lying areas and advised people to stay away from the shoreline, though Ma-on is not forecast to make a direct impact on the southern Chinese financial hub with its population of 7.4 million.