Following a series of deadly terrorist attacks, Chinese cities have seen an increase in public displays of security. In Beijing, the police battled mock rioters on Thursday in a drill to respond to “mass disturbances.” Some of the Chinese capital’s subway stations have begun airport-style security checks, creating long lines of passengers waiting behind security fencing.
Hundreds of thousands of neighborhood watch volunteers have been tasked with looking out for suspicious people, the Beijing Youth Daily reported Friday. Even cobblers and newsstand vendors have been called upon to report suspicious activity, the newspaper said.
The mass turnout of ordinary citizens to participate in security in Beijing follows the measures put in place for the 2008 Olympics and large political gatherings, when even small backstreets were surveyed by residents with red arm bands, many of them retirees who earn small stipends participating in their neighborhood watch. As of March 1, those who pass along information that contributes to uncovering terrorists activities can earn up 40,000 renminbi, about $6,500, China Daily reported.
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Austin Ramzy, New York Times via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1prC7zH
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