Beijing takes anti-terror measures ahead of National Day celebrations

Beijing, Aug. 24 (ANI): Almost a month before China observes its 60th National Day, thousands of additional police officers have been deployed across Beijing in a bid to thwart off any terror activity.

"The security work for the coming event is by no means easier. Some of the threats, such as Tibetan and Xinjiang Uygur separatists, may not give up the opportunity," China Daily quoted Wang Taiyuan, a professor with the Chinese People's Public Security University, as saying.

Li Wei, director of the centre for counter-terrorism studies with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, also said the risk of violence and terrorism rose after the July 5 riot in Urumqi in Xinjiang.

Considering this, Beijing on Saturday raised its security level, deciding to put at least 6,000 officers on its streets every day, in the wake of October 1 celebrations, China Daily quoted senior police officer Wang Jun, as saying.

Over the weekend, police also activated hundreds of checkpoints developed for last year's Olympic Games to beef up checks on people and vehicles entering the city.

Xu Ke, a driver who constantly travels between Handan in Hebei province and Beijing, said the toll station at the Beijing end of the Hebei-Beijing expressway has been fitted with new security-scanning machines.

Thousands of militia soldiers have also been deployed to watch key infrastructure such as bridges, overpasses, railways and highway tunnels, according to the police bureau.

Security measures have also been tightened in the city's subway system and key areas such as Tian'anmen Square.

All bags carried by subway passengers are subject to security checks.

Taxi drivers have also been told to report any suspicious customers to police.

The report also said the Beijing Radio Administration Bureau is screening radio devices in the city, especially near Tian'anmen Square, Chang'an Avenue and three "parade villages" where civilians and troops participating in the parade are exercising.

The administration also asks gas stations make contingency plans in case of emergencies, including terrorist attacks, administration director Zhang Jiaming said. (ANI)