Shanghai Daily | 上海日报 -- English Window to China News

A SPECIAL security check will be launched at the entrances of some domestic airports beginning on July 20 to ensure safety during the Beijing Olympics, Xinhuanet.com reported yesterday.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) said everyone, including those not boarding planes, should go through the security check before entering these airports.

Those found carrying flammable and other dangerous goods will be severely punished and are liable for any trip delays, the CAAC said.

Passengers boarding flights will need to pass a second security check, according to the report.

CAAC suggested passengers arrive at the airport as early as possible to avoid missing flights due to the increased security checks.

Airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Tibet Autonomous Region and 13 others cities will launch the special security check.

Chinese airports and airlines have enacted measures to ensure passenger safety. This included banning passengers from carrying liquids on domestic flights in March after two suspected terrorists were caught on a plane flying from Urumqi in Xinjiang to Beijing that month. The move was also part of efforts to ensure security before the Beijing Olympics.

Passengers in some cities including Shanghai, Wuhan, Guilin, Jinan and Zhengzhou were not permitted to carry more than two lithium batteries onboard for each electronic item from late March.

On March 26 the CAAC asked passengers to take off their shoes for security checks at domestic airports in a move to further improve security.

As of July 1, international flights bound for Beijing should report the personal information of passengers to the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection before landing.