Security beefed up in Beijing ahead of two sessions
Security has been tightened in Beijing ahead of the annual plenary sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body. Delegates from across the country are in the capital for meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Most media interviews will be conducted in person at the two sessions this year as social distancing rules have been scrapped. But reporters, NPC and CPPCC members are still required to take PCR tests for Covid before attending meetings in the Great Hall of the People.  Starry Lee, Hong Kong's sole delegate to the NPC Standing Committee, said she thought such a rule was necessary. “We have to make sure the two sessions is conducted in an orderly and safe manner. We believe that this year we will return to normal. We are very happy and glad to see all reporters here. This is a very strong signal,” she said.   On Chang'an Road, some Beijing residents told RTHK that they thought security was tighter than last year, with police officers stepping up ID checks.  "They [the authorities] are paying more and more attention to security. Yesterday I saw the flag being raised in Tiananmen Square. Even three kilometres away, there were police on guard," said a university student.  She said she hoped the meetings could address issues such as the country's ageing population and income inequality.  In a notice issued last week, Beijing's security authorities said the use of drones would be banned in the capital from March 1 to 12.  A food stall owner on Wangfujing Street said railway officials had also stepped up security measures, including checking the liquids carried by passengers. "I hope the government will relax policies for small businesses and give more subsidies to farmers," he added.