A car drives through a sandstorm on a highway in Alxa League, western Inner Mongolia autonomous region on April 17. Sand blew in across the autonomous region on April 16, resulting in reduced visibility and poor air quality. As bitter wind howled, blowing sand stretched from the west to the central area of Inner Mongolia. Regional cities including Alxa League, Bayannur and Baotou encountered sandstorms and increased levels of dust in the air, resulting in a blue-level warning from local weather departments. [Photo/Xinhua]