Han Ximin

    SHENZHEN traffic terminals including airport, train stations and Metro stations have stepped up security checks to ensure safety during the Olympic Games.

    All passengers going into the waiting halls of Shenzhen Railway Station, Shenzhen West Station and Guangzhou East Railway Station, which are under the administration of the Shenzhen railway police department, must go through X-ray scanners.

    Liquid containers are also required to go through the newly installed scanning machines.

    Department officials said yesterday armed police had been deployed to patrol railway stations around the clock. Police had required luggage-storage offices at stations to install checking machines, otherwise they would be shut down.

    The airport also raised the security level by installing 21 luggage-sized detectors.

    Air passengers have to go through three safety checks, including a check for explosives, before entering the waiting areas starting Monday. The detector, which is sensitive to gas and explosive residues, can instantly detect explosives through a sensor which is connected with a matchbox- sized paper card which is used to scrape luggage or clothes.

    “This sensitive small paper card can absorb gas and residues of explosives. Passengers with explosives can be instantly singled out when they pass the check,” Zheng Wei, a PR officer at the airport, said yesterday.

    Passengers carrying laptops will be required to start their computers before passing safety checks.

    The airport said this measure was introduced for fear that laptops could be used to ignite explosives.

    Shenzhen Metro company has employed more than 200 security guards.

    Police authorities have started patrolling with police dogs at stations on Line 1.

    Bai Tian, deputy Party chief of Shenzhen, said on an inspection trip to Shenzhen Metro on Tuesday that plainclothes police officers were also needed on trains.