Beijing Subway Trains Get Security Cameras

Beijing Subway Trains Get

Security Cameras

 

Beijing subway operator will complete installation of cameras inside Metro Line 1 and 2 trains before the end of March to improve management.

The Metro operation company has equipped 108 subway carriages with cameras, according to the Beijing Evening News reported on March 11.

Each car has two cameras. The operator will install cameras on the other 300 train cars of the two lines by the end of March. The move is expected to help the operator monitor the lines and take immediate measures in case of emergency. The operator will also install 1,558 cameras on the 42 subway stations of the two lines.

 

Air Travellers to Face New Limits on Liquids

 

Airports on the Chinese mainland will limit the amount of liquids, gels and aerosols in passengers’ carry-on luggage starting May 1 to bring their security rules in line with international practices.

Fluids and aerosols must be in containers holding no more than 100 millimeters, and the containers must be carried aboard international flights in clear, re-sealable plastic bags no larger than one liter, according to the new restrictions issued on March 20 by the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.

Each passenger will be restricted to one plastic bag, which will be inspected by security staff. Passengers on incoming overseas flights must follow the same restrictions, according to the new rules.

All duty-free liquid items must be carried aboard in intact, sealed plastic bags, and passengers must produce their purchase invoices.

Passengers on domestic flights can carry packages of liquids up to one liter, but all alcohol has to be packed inside checked luggage, according to the new rules. Exceptions will be made for special items, such as medications and baby milk, subject to verification.

The administration suggested that passengers arrive at airports earlier than they normally do to allow for delays and be prepared for the inspections.

 

Midi Modern Music Festival Returns in May

 

Based in Beijing, the Midi Modern Music Festival is China's largest rock music festival. Since 1997 the festival has been held every year during the May holiday (May 1–3) with the exception of 2003 and 2004 (when both were held in October).

The festival is hosted by the Midi School, Beijing's first and only rock-music school.

The 2006 festival hosted between 40,000 and 80,000 visitors, more than 50 bands (including 18 foreign bands Alev, Monokino, Yokohama Music Association, The Wombats, The Mayflies) and presented four different stages (Main Stage, Guitar-China Stage, Mini Midi Stage, Disco Stage) featuring artists of rock, electro and DJ genres.

The 2007 Midi Modern Music Festival will be held May 1–4 in Haidian Park, presenting 90 bands (65 local and 25 foreign) and 50 musicians. With such a diverse group of musicians and bands, audiences can expect to experience exceptional musical performances.

 

Badaling Great Wall to Remove Stalls

 

Tourists visiting the Badaling Great Wall will no longer be troubled by the cries of peddlers, and will enjoy a more tranquil visit when they experience the grandeur of this wonder of the world. All the vendors’ stalls on the Great Wall itself will be banished.

The Badaling Great Wall Administration has launched a programme to improve the scenic area’s tourist infrastructure and environment. The recent shake-up will remove the last eight remaining vendors’ stalls in 2007, putting an end to 30 years of stalls on the Great Wall. Besides stalls on the Badaling Great Wall itself, 61 other stalls near the north entrance of the scenic area will also be removed. All the stalls will be relocated to a commercial building to improve shopping conditions for tourists.

In addition to the removal of the stalls, more than 2,000 metres of high-voltage transmission lines that now pass over the Great Wall will be buried underground to give tourists a better view. A transit road will also be constructed to divert non-tourist traffic, to ease traffic pressure.

Located 75 kilometres northwest of Central Beijing, the Badaling Great Wall is a typical segment of the Great Wall; it was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), and it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Chinese capital.

 

Beijing to Blacklist “Killer”

Private Vehicles

 

The Beijing Municipal Government on March 18 said it will begin blacklisting private vehicles that repeatedly break traffic rules or cause fatal traffic accidents.

The Beijing News reports the move comes after the Ministry of Public Security ordered all traffic management bureaus to take effective measures to reduce traffic accidents.

The municipal traffic management bureau said it is still drafting detailed penalties for blacklisted vehicles. The bureau said professional drivers working at transport companies will be removed from their posts and will have their identities released to the public if they are blacklisted. The companies they work for will also be held responsible. The municipal government also plans to revoke or suspend licenses for the transport of dangerous materials if permit holders break traffic rules.

Two hundred and fourteen people have died because of 193 accidents from January 1 to March 16 this year, according to the municipal government.