Beijing records the longest cold spell in contemporary memory

As the biting temperatures and snowfall experienced in the Chinese capital and elsewhere began to ease, Beijing recorded its longest cold wave since records began in 1951.

The temperature at Beijing's Nanjiao weather station rose above zero degrees Celsius for the first time in days on Sunday afternoon, according to state media Beijing Daily.

"Since temperature first dropped to below zero degrees on December 11, the temperature had remained below that line for more than 300 hours," according to the Beijing Daily.

This month, a strong cold wave swept through most of China, taxing the heating capacity of some northern Chinese cities.

Multiple system failures have occurred in China's central province of Henan.

Heating in Jiaozuo was temporarily halted on Friday due to a malfunction at the Wanfang power plant. According to the city's official newspaper, Jiaozuo Daily, the problem was resolved on Saturday and heating is expected to resume Sunday night.

The freezing temperatures also hampered rescue efforts following a deadly earthquake in northwest Gansu province earlier this month.