Stricter security at Chinese train stations as millions continue Lunar New Year exodus

Smelly durian, kitchen knives, small bottles of baijiu rice wine and live animals have all been added to a new list of banned items at Chinese stations and trains introduced before this year’s Lunar New Year.

Security checks introduced at railway stations across the country have been stepped up as millions of mainlanders travel home for the annual festival and described as ”among the strictest in history”, mainland media reported.

Strong-smelling durian fruit and bean curd fell foul of the new restrictions as part of the list of items banned from trains because they are thought likely to“disturb public hygiene” because of their “extreme smell”, the reports said.

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The new list of items that are prohibited at Chinese railway stations and on trains was issued by China Railway, the national train operator, on January 10.

Tighter restrictions have also been imposed on the number of flammable items permitted on trains. Only two boxes of matches may be carried per person, instead of the previous limit of 20, and people can only take two cigarette lighters with them, compared with the previous limit of five lighters.

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Mainland media has reported numerous incidents of travellers being stopped by security guards while trying to board trains after failing to obey the new rules.