China Ramps Up Security for 60th Anniversary Celebration

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Apr. 29 – China has announced that it would launch a security campaign in May similar to the measures taken last year for the Beijing Olympic to guarantee safety for the upcoming anniversary celebrations marking the founding the of the People’s Republic of China on Oct. 1.

The event is a milestone for the government and will be celebrated with fireworks and a grand military parade in the center of Beijing.

Xinhua reports that police will focus on maintaining social order, cracking down on criminal gangs, and tracking wanted criminals. Vice Minister of Public Security Zhang Xinfeng assured that robberies and theft will be curbed as well as phone scams.

He added that the local government will also tackle criminal activities widespread in their respective regions, and step up security efforts, he said.

If last year’s security campaign is to be followed, China’s measurea will include thorough security checks at hotels and residential areas in addition to visa restrictions that will limit the entry of foreigners in the country.

There is reason to believe that China may be extra careful this time given past restive activities in Tibet and Xinjiang during sensitive anniversary dates like the failed Tibetan uprising and the one-year anniversary of violent riots in the capital of Lhasa.

Beijing has instructed local officials to celebrate the event through patriotic educational activities.