China heightens airport security checks ahead of parade

A security staff member at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport guides a passenger to the security check on Monday.[Photo/Xinhua]

Airports across China have intensified security checks as the military parade on Sept 3 in Beijing is drawing near to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Shanghai Morning Post reported Thursday.

Air passengers have to set aside extra time for security checks at airports and make sure no contraband such as lighters are in their carry on luggage, the newspaper said.

Both airports in Shanghai, namely the Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, have enforced strict security checks and suggested passengers for domestic trips and international flights arrive at the airport terminals at least two to three hours in advance.

"I arrived at the airport earlier than 9am, but I passed the security check later than 11am”, said a passenger surnamed Dong, who went to Paris by air on Wednesday.

Dong went on to say: "Almost every passenger has to open their bags for security checks, and drink up or discard their portable water", which took a long time and made the queue for passing customs very long.

Since August, airport security checks in China have been strengthened in the wake of peak summer travel season and the misbehavior of a few air passengers.

To ensure the capital's safety, Beijing has ordered Air China flights to stop passengers from checking in 45 minutes in advance, mobilized local residents to patrol all the streets and alleys in the capital and asked people to use real names when sending or receiving parcels and letters from Thursday, according to Chinanews.com.

Still, airports in Shanghai said on Wednesday that passengers who hide lighters, matches and chargers in their luggage may be sent to the police, in accordance to a recent notice issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Except for Beijing and Shanghai, the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in South China's Guangzhou has also strengthened its security checks in August.