Beijing might make subway parcel inspections permanent

BEIJING, March 19 -- Beijing might make compulsory security checks and bans on begging permanent rules for subway users, the municipal government said Wednesday.

The government said it was soliciting public comments on the measures, which were started before last August's Olympic Games.

About 2,000 scanners have been installed at 123 subway stations.

From June last year till February, subway staff had seized more than 37,500 dangerous items, including detonators and gasoline, according to the Beijing Subway Operation Company.

Passengers carrying banned articles, such as guns, explosives and hazardous substances, into the subway can be arrested. The maximum penalties include 10 days in detention and a fine of up to 500 yuan.

The rule would also prohibit begging on platforms or in halls or trains because those activities might delay or hamper evacuations.

Beijing has eight subway lines, which carried more than 1.2 billion passengers in 2008.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing. (XHTV)¡¡