Ahead of party meet, China pulls knives, toyplanes off shelves

Don't roll down the taxi windows. Don't buy a remote-controlled plane without a police chief's permission. And don't release your pigeons.

Beijing is tightening security as its all-important Communist Party Congress approaches, and some of the measures seem downright bizarre. Kitchen knives and pencil sharpeners reportedly have been pulled from store shelves, and there's even a rumor that authorities are on the lookout for seditious messages on pingpong balls.

The Congress, which begins November 8, will name new leaders to run the world's most populous country and second-largest economy for the next decade. Most of the security measures have been phased in in time for Thursday's opening of a meeting of the Central Committee, the roughly 370-member body that is finalising preparations for the Congress.

China always tightens security for high-profile events, like much of the rest of the world. But many of Beijing's rules seem extraordinary, perhaps in an effort to smooth a once-a-decade transition that has already been bumpy.

Human rights groups report that activists and petitioners are being rounded up ahead of the congress. But the broader security measures may best illustrate how China is trying to leave absolutely no room for disruptions.

The government has blocked searches for the phrase "party congress'' on websites including China's popular Twitter-like Sina Weibo. Internet posters manage to get around that by using characters that sound like "party congress.''

Taxi drivers have been told to remove window handles and require passengers to sign a "traveling agreement'' promising to avoid sensitive parts of the city and not to open their windows or doors if they pass "important venues.''

The person who answered the phone at Wan Quan Si taxi company said the rule applies to all taxi companies in Beijing. An investment company worker Li Tianshu said, "There were no handles for three of the four windows. The driver complained that if they don't take the handles away or the passengers throw leaflets out of the taxis, they will be fired.''

... contd.

ALSO READ

Pak braces for historic vote today

Nawaz Sharif calls for warmer ties with India

At least 18 killed in twin blasts targeting election campaigns

Over 37 killed in Bangla violence