China steps up security on North Korea, India and Myanmar borders for Communist Party congress
Officers try to bolster role as guardians against perceived offshore threats to Beijing in run-up to key party gathering, analyst says
China’s border police will maintain the highest security on the country’s frontiers with North Korea, India and Myanmar as the Communist Party gears up for its all-important national congress next month.
The border forces under the People’s Armed Police became the latest government agency to make a show of support for President Xi Jinping, saying officers would focus on the frontiers to ensure stability for the five-yearly gathering.
They would also tighten monitoring of coastal areas and ramp up counterterrorism work, the police said in an online statement.
“[We will] stick to the highest standards, strictest requirements and strongest measures to ensure absolute border security for the party’s 19th national congress,” the statement said.
The congress, expected to start on October 18, is expected to see Xi named the party’s general secretary for a second term and a dozen officials named to key positions.
