Security won't hinder daily life, Party official says

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Beijing residents will not be adversely affected by heightened security during the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, authorities vow.

The capital is preparing to be host of the event, which is held every five years, on Nov 8.

Agencies involved in security and safety should take residents' feelings and opinions into consideration when they carry out their duties, said Ji Lin, deputy Party chief of Beijing, at a conference on security for the congress last week.

Ji heads a team of nine senior officials set up by the city government to guarantee security during the CPC meeting, at which more than 2,000 delegates will elect China's new generation of leaders.

Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu said on Tuesday that police have been instructed to build "harmonious relationships" with the public and make sure that residents' lives are not affected by the security measures for the congress.

Authorities in Beijing have been cracking down on illegal activities such as unlicensed taxis, bicycle theft, gambling and prostitution since August, and more than 33,000 cases have been processed, he said.

Since mid-July, about 485 officials from districts and townships across the capital have been on duty every day to hear residents' complaints and help resolve problems, Legal Daily has reported.

In the Haidian district, a pilot project has begun that will improve services for migrant workers and reduce possibilities of social conflict, the report said.

The city's Transport Commission said in a statement on Friday that it is going to step up safety checks during the Party congress, including monitoring traffic on main roads and bridges, supervising the transportation of potentially dangerous chemicals, and checking safety devices on buses and in taxis.

Beijing's fire rescue authorities stepped up inspections starting on Wednesday to clear away potential fire hazards ahead of the Party congress.

The inspections covered venues that will serve the Party congress, the capital's central political area, and venues that typically deal with crowds such as hotels, hospitals, schools, markets, stores, cinemas, clubs and Internet cafes, Xinhua News Agency reported.