Beijing Clamps Down as 60th National Day Approaches

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Photo by XinhuaBEIJING, Sept. 25 – Beijing is tightening security and speeding up preparations for the Communist Party’s 60th National Day celebrations on October 1.

More armed soldiers have been deployed around the city, kite-flying has been banned and knife sales restricted. Just like the security measures implemented during the weeks before the Beijing Olympics,  foreign tourists will no longer be issued special travel permits for restive Tibet. There are also plans to ground flights at Beijing Capital Airport on October 1 for three hours starting 9:30 am.

Last Friday, Beijing suspended work and cleared the streets while also forbidding people to watch the rehearsals which have been regularly held in Tiananmen Square since last month. China’s fighter jets and warplanes have also been rehearsing for the special day.

People living within the vicinity of Tiananmen Square will be given temporary special passes to be able to access the area during National Day. Beijing is sparing no expense to make the 60th anniversary founding day celebrations grandiose with a mass pageant that includes 60 simulated floats and a background performance involving 80,000 students. A 33 minute fireworks display will be held in the evening.

Beijing will also host various cultural activities including singing and dancing and speech contests and drama shows, which will be held in about 1,000 parks on Oct. 2 and 3, reports Xinhua. Other Chinese cities are also preparing for the National Day celebrations with decorations, special activities and anti-terrorist drills.