All subway lines are to be fitted with hi-tech anti-terrorism
devices ahead of the 2010 World Expo, the city's quality
supervision bureau said on Tuesday.
The new security system will be able to detect toxic gases,
explosives, ammunition and radiation. Closed-circuit television
cameras will also be installed in every carriage.
In addition, local hotels will be fitted with face-recognition
devices in a bid to track criminals and suspects.
Under the terms of two standards released by the bureau, which
took effect on Saturday, subways, hotels and office buildings will
be obliged to finish standardizing their security facilities by the
end of 2009.
Ni Danhong, an official with the bureau, said: "This is the
first time on the mainland that a standard on security systems has
been issued. We have learned from similar systems used in the UK,
France and Finland.
"Subways are usually populous and not easy to evacuate or
ventilate, and hotels are places where crimes are always likely to
happen. That's why we have to attach great importance to public
safety in these places," Ni said.
New video cameras and sound control facilities are currently
being installed on lines 1 and 2 of the city's subway. Lines still
under construction will have all the equipment installed according
to the new standards, the official said.
In addition, all subway entrances, train carriages and ticket
offices will be monitored by high-definition video cameras.
The city plans to have 13 subway lines covering more than 563 km
and 350 stations by 2012, Ni said.
Hotels and office buildings should also have video monitors
installed in key locations such as parking lots, lobbies, elevators
and passageways, he said.
Metal doors and windows to guard against potential theft will
also be required.
Hi-tech facilities including face-recognition systems, burglar
alarms and gas detectors will be installed in public places such as
currency exchange, outlets and ATMs, Ni said.
"We hope to update all our old facilities and add new ones in
order to build an advanced, efficient security system before 2010,"
he said.
Authorities expect the city's subway to carry 400,000 passengers
per day during the World Expo.
(China Daily September 6, 2007)
