China’s ‘two sessions’: Beijing police give hint about event’s timing as security is stepped up
- Notice banning low-altitude aircraft including drones suggests political meetings could be over by March 12
- Extra checks are also in place for inbound parcels and train passengers entering the Chinese capital
Thousands of lawmakers, officials, generals and businesspeople will gather in the Chinese capital next week for the country’s most important political event of the year.
The top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, will meet from Monday, while the annual session of the National People’s Congress, the top legislature, opens on Tuesday.
Last year’s meetings were longer than previous years – both ran for nine days – because of the five-yearly changes to senior government roles, including the president and the premier.
On Monday, Beijing’s municipal police department issued a notice saying all “low-altitude, slow-speed and small-sized” aircraft would be banned in the city from Friday until March 12.
That includes all flights for sport, entertainment and promotional purposes.
