Beijing tightens security cordons for national week

Over 1 million personnel on streets

Beijing has strengthened its public security controls with over 1 million personnel and 2,000 contingency police officers to guarantee a safe National Holiday as China celebrates its 65th anniversary this Wednesday.

According to the municipal committee of politics and law, the capital has launched "level II public security control" and "level I extraordinary control" in key areas. Some 850,000 volunteers and another 400,000 security patrollers will be involved, covering all areas in the city.

Meanwhile, a "city moat project" was launched where militiamen and volunteers will guard over 300 bridges and underground passages along the second and third ring roads.

An unnamed source at a subdistrict office close to the national stadium in Chaoyang district told the Global Times that the order to raise the level of security came about 10 days ago but public mobilization for security control during major events goes back for decades ago.

"This is a volunteer system with Chinese characteristics. It usually involves senior citizens, most of whom are members of the Communist Party of China. Their familiarity with their residential areas has made them the best eyes and ears for us to look out for any potential danger," said the source, adding that one out of 10 residents in his subdistrict is a volunteer.

According to a 72-year-old volunteer who requested anonymity, any minor abnormal activities, including thefts or fire or a stranger's presence, in the neighborhood should be reported to local subdistrict office. "If I were alone, I would just call the office; if there were more of us, I would ask the stranger's identity. We don't want any troubles, but safety comes first."

"What we celebrate on National Day was hard won by people their age, so they are more willing to safeguard it," explained the source.

The municipal public security bureau has dispatched more than 2,000 police officers ready for any operation and over 300 patrol cars in the city during National Day. They will be able to handle any emergency at key areas within one minute, according to the politics and law committee.

The committee added that temporary security checks will also be implemented at all exit and entry ways at the village or township level, while over 40 headquarters will be set up by traffic police at major highways in the city to guarantee smooth traffic as many are expected to hit the road during the holiday, especially since highway tolls are lifted during the holiday week.

The Beijing Railway Administration estimates that a total of 1.23 million passengers will leave the capital on Wednesday. The four railway stations in the capital are expected to welcome an average of 410,000 arrivals per day during the holiday, reported the Beijing Times.