Armed guards ensure border security around capital during APEC  

武警持槍駐守進京檢查站 確保APEC會議順利召開

(ECNS) -- Beijing has stepped up border security during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2014 Third Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM3) and Related Meetings, the Beijing Times reported.

The city has added 11 armed guards to each of 22 checkpoints at road entries along the city's border. Each point has also been staffed with 10 police officers who work 24-hour shifts till August 22.

Security checks are aimed at suspicious people and cargo, the report said, adding that Beijing police are also cooperating with police in neighboring provinces and cities.

Police dogs have been deployed at checkpoints to help search for explosive materials.

A police officer surnamed Wei in Tongzhou district said he had been told to carry out tasks at Baimiao checkpoint with his police dog since August 1.

Sun Jingdong, deputy head of the patrol department at the Beijing Public Security Bureau, said more security channels have been opened to avoid traffic jams at checkpoints.

Some busy crossings see more than 25,000 vehicles and 100,000 people each day.

More than 210,000 vehicles were checked from August 1 to 10, and 44 suspects were detained.

The meetings last till August 21, and the informal APEC summit will be held in November in Beijing.