Police throw security net across the capital

Beijing police yesterday demonstrated their prowess to deter security threats by displaying their hi-tech defences covering land, water and air.

Beijing police launched their security programme for this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit at the beginning of the year, mobilising 60,000 police and volunteer residents to "implement the highest standard, take the strictest measures and present the best image", the Beijing Public Security Bureau said on its official Weibo account.

Elite officers from 14 police departments in Beijing, Tianjin , Hebei , Shanxi , Inner Mongolia and Liaoning formed a regional police command centre to ensure the "absolute safety" of summit attendees.

Around the clock checks on passengers, vehicles and cargo have been imposed at scores of permanent and temporary checkpoints on roads leading to the capital. Police have formed a communications hub with neighbouring cities and provinces.

"Dangerous factors will be identified, controlled and kept outside Beijing," the statement said.

A comprehensive force comprised of patrol officers, special police, SWAT teams, armed police and even traffic police have been deployed, some with police dogs and others in vehicles, for 24-hour patrols.