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China weaves security network for National Day celebrations

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-09 14:27

BEIJING: China is beefing up security in the run-up to National Day celebrations on October 1 when a huge gathering will be held in Tian'anmen Square with a military parade and mass pageant to follow.

Communities near the square have joined the government to do their part to create a safe milieu weeks before the celebrations begin.

He Chengliang, an artist from east China's Shandong Province, is looking forward to the big day. The Chunshuyuan neighborhood where he lives requires migrants such as himself to register for a permit, without which they will not be able enter their neighborhood again if they step out on National Day.

"Applying for a pass does not bother me because it's only for the National Day," said He.

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His home is about two kilometers from Tian'anmen Square. "The government wants safe celebrations, and I understand why they require these precautions."

His neighbor Li Qiang, who has just moved into the neighborhood with the aim of watching the event, is keen to get a pass. "I just show the rent documents and ID card, and it's that easy, " he said.

A notice posted on neighborhood notice boards said starting Thursday, aircraft including small planes, manned balloons and parachute gliders -- except those taking part in celebrations -- are banned from flying in the area. The notice further said kite-flying will be banned in areas bordering Chang'an Avenue.

What Chunshuyuan neighborhood is doing is a part the Chinese government's efforts to usher in the smooth running celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

In late August, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau -- which is responsible for public security in the capital -- had kicked off a program to increase the presence of its patrol vehicles. The bureau said it would make full use of its special police forces and cooperate with armed police forces in tightening control at busy venues and major crossroads.

The government's endeavor has not been limited to the capital. On Sunday, officials from Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Liaoning and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region gathered in the capital to sign a joint agreement.

The agreement said China would launch a joint project of the seven municipalities, provinces and autonomous region to build a security "moat" to keep the capital safe. Various service sectors of these authorities will conduct security checks on roads to Beijing to cordon potential threats.

Neighboring provinces are also working on a system to tackle discord on their home turf. The police will cooperate to stop criminal activities crossing provincial borders.

The agreement also said governments would tighten control over dangerous objects and better regulate the flow of migrant population.

"With the National Day less than a month away, the authorities in the seven provincial areas must strengthen cooperation and work closely together to ensure the smooth operation of the celebrations," said Chen Jiping, deputy director of the Central Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security.

Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Security issued a circular ordering police authorities in these areas to start armed police patrols at night from September 15.

"The authorities have to make full use of community security guards and public security patrols," said Zhang Xinfeng, ministry vice minister.

The ministry has also called on local authorities to continue cracking down on violent crime, drink driving, pornography, gambling and drug abuse to enhance the people's sense of security leading up to the celebrations.