About 2,000 police officers will regularly travel China's airlines this summer so as to strengthen security in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States.

There will be two officers to a plane.

Major domestic air carriers plan to put the first batch of air police on flights to and from major cities this July or August. All 2,000 likely won't be employed until next year, however, said Wang Xin, director of the steward training department at Changning Amateur College in Shanghai.

Her college has just enrolled the first candidates: 75 men under the age of 23 and in good physical condition.

Candidates will be recruited from universities and the public security bureau, she said.

They must be between 1.72 and 1.85 meters (5.6 and 6.1 feet) tall and not have any scars or tattoos. Good morals and military service are a plus.

Recruits will study English, security knowledge and martial arts.

"Aviation security has become very important for the development of international aviation and the stability of the country," said Liu Jianfeng, director of the Civil Aviation Administration.

Trains have similar forces patrolling the rail cars.

(China Daily March 5, 2002)