China: Tourists warned of security clampdown in Beijing due to upcoming elections

There’s a security clampdown in Beijing ahead of this week’s party congress where a new leadership will be chosen. The once-in-decade event is taking place in a climate of some political uncertainty. Consequently Chinese authorities are taking action to prevent any public demonstration of dissent. So-called “activists” have been banned from travelling to Beijing, and there are reports that some are under virtual house-arrest. In a bizarre move, taxi companies have been ordered to remove the winders from passenger seat windows (apparently to prevent dissidents throwing leaflets out of the window). Expect to see a lot of police around the centre of beijing and expect them to be jittery. Read article