Tian’anmen Square in Beijing has ramped up security and enhanced public services as visitor numbers surge during the combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, running from Oct 1 to 8.
Police in the Tian'anmen district are working around the clock with all members on duty. They have increased patrols at entrances and exits and core viewing areas of the square to ensure security and direct crowds.
"We have the entire staff on duty during peak periods, such as the flag-raising ceremony, the busy hours in the morning, the flag-lowering ceremony, and the night hours after the 'flower basket' is lit up. We are using high-tech means to monitor the density of visitor flow and the length of the queue in real time," said Ma Xiao, a police officer.
Authorities have also deployed a special vehicle east of the square to provide hot water, air conditioners, public legal education, lost and found, missing persons, and health assistance services for the visitors.
The vehicle has a small room for parents to care for their children. In addition to supporting facilities, the police have put some picture books in the room, as well as candies and other snacks to deal with low blood sugar and also help comfort the babies.
"We have set up a changing table, where parents can change diapers of their babies. People outside cannot see through these windows, and we also have curtains," said Duo Lan, a police officer.
"It's very useful. As we came here in the early morning, we put many clothes on the child. Now, the temperature has risen, but we don't have a place to change the child's clothes, so this room is really helpful for us," said Mrs. Li, a tourist.
In the first three days of the holiday, the vehicle helped visitors find more than 40 missing individuals and over 60 identity cards, while providing services for more than 40,000 visitors.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in China, which is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month on the traditional Chinese calendar.
Tian’anmen Square ramps up security, service upgrades amid National Day tourism boom
