People must now go through a security check before getting to the sidewalks surrounding the hall. From the hall to the square right across the street, people have to have their bags scanned and later their bodies scanned. They will be checked again when leaving the square for the subway nearby.

There were about 20 policemen and guards around the hall and some police cars parked outside the south gate.

Police were also patrolling the square, while one on a motorbike circled the square.

Firefighters are also on high alert, Xia Chunlei, press officer of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Fire Prevention, told China Daily.

Fire risk assessments will be conducted at sites where the deputies and consultative members will be staying and where they will conduct interviews.

Luo Yuan, deputy chief of the fire brigade, said a special operation team is standing by in the city's central Dongcheng and Xicheng districts.

"We carefully selected the team of 20 experienced firefighters to provide a rapid response. The team will be ready until the end of the two sessions."