On the afternoon of the 19th, a week before the 80th anniversary celebration of the victory in China, near the Tiananmen Subway Station. Pedestrians who have completed identity verification and bag checks by the police are looking at Tiananmen from a distance. Tiananmen Square is closed to the public again for four days starting from this day. /Courtesy of Lee Eun-young, Beijing Correspondent

"No wet wipes. Discard them"

On the afternoon of the 19th at around 5 p.m. (local time) in Chang'an Avenue in central Beijing, police demanded identity verification and bag inspections as they neared a straight distance of 500 meters from Tiananmen Square across from Tiananmen. After waiting for more than 5 minutes on a pedestrian path blocked by barricades, I showed my passport and opened my bag. Then, the police seized the wet wipes in my bag. When I asked why, they just repeated the short phrase "alcohol."

The wet wipes that were confiscated from me were a portable product containing 75% diluted alcohol for sterilization and disinfection. While alcohol is a flammable substance, it is virtually impossible to ignite a fire with these wet wipes, which contain only 10 sheets of non-woven fabric, alcohol, and purified water. The police's "confiscation of wet wipes" appears to be a measure aimed at blocking any import without exception, based solely on the classification of hazardous materials rather than judging the possibility of flammability.

On the afternoon of the 19th, the pedestrian path near Tiananmen is blocked. To pass this area, one must go through identity verification and bag checks by the police. /Courtesy of Lee Eun-young, Beijing Correspondent

As China approaches the 80th anniversary of the 'Sept. 3 Victory Day', commemorating its victory over Japan in World War II, controls are being strengthened near Tiananmen Square where a military parade will be held. This will be the first military parade at Tiananmen since 2015. During the event, Chinese President Xi Jinping will speak from the Tiananmen Gate, military personnel will conduct a large-scale march, and the latest strategic weapons will be unveiled. Leaders of allied nations are also expected to attend.

During the 70th anniversary event in 2015, armed soldiers and police were deployed at major subway stations and bus stops in addition to the Tiananmen area, and manhole covers were blocked due to concerns about a terror threat. Ahead of the 80th anniversary event, a second large-scale rehearsal took place on the 16th and 17th, resulting in road closures in various parts of the city, including Tiananmen, Guomao, and Beijing Station.

On the afternoon of the 19th, on Wangfujing Street. The motorcycle lane turning towards Tiananmen is being controlled. The police open the barricade according to the signals to allow passage. /Courtesy of Lee Eun-young, Beijing Correspondent

From the 18th to the 19th, tourism was resumed and access was possible again, but due to strict controls, movement was not easy. Even if one did not plan to enter Tiananmen, access within approximately 1 kilometer was entirely blocked. Visitors had to pre-book tickets, show their tickets and identification to the police, and complete baggage inspections before proceeding; otherwise, they had to turn back and take a long detour. Vehicle pickups and drop-offs were also prohibited on nearby roads.

The control atmosphere was apparent even in Wangfujing, a tourist area just one subway stop from Tiananmen. Barricades were stacked thickly on the pedestrian streets and squares, and traffic police with loudspeakers stood at intersections leading to the main road towards Tiananmen to control traffic. Pedal cyclists needing to make a right turn toward Tiananmen had to wait in line behind the barricades and wait for the police to open the barricade in response to their signal. Traffic control officers were also seen shouting at drivers who were not maintaining order.

On the afternoon of the 19th, a family is reading a notice prohibiting passage on the pedestrian path near Tiananmen. One cannot pass through this area unless they have booked a ticket for entry to Tiananmen, requiring a detour. /Courtesy of Lee Eun-young, Beijing Correspondent

The strengthening of police controls is believed to have been influenced by a large-scale protest that broke out earlier this month. According to foreign media, on the 22nd of last month in Sichuan Province, a 14-year-old minor was violently assaulted by three peers. However, the level of punishment for the perpetrators was not severe compared to the brutality of the incident, leading about 1,000 citizens to take to the streets in protest. Reports also suggest that clashes occurred between the police and demonstrators during this process. Protests in China are exceedingly rare.

Authorities will impose full control over Tiananmen Square from today until the 23rd. The Tiananmen Regional Management Committee cited construction in Tiananmen Square and surrounding areas as the reason, but it is presumed to be for preparations for the military parade.

This morning, military authorities held a press conference to brief on the preparations for the military parade. According to the briefing, this event will last a total of 70 minutes and will proceed through Tiananmen Square starting with an air escort squad, followed by foot troops, fighter jet formations, equipment units, and air units. The equipment participating in the parade will involve hundreds of types, and many of the latest military equipment and national strategic weapons will be unveiled for the first time since 2019.

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.