Air passengers in China will not be allowed to take lighters or matches onboard planes, the latest step taken by the country's top aviation authority to ensure security four months ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China made the decision late yesterday and reminded passengers to be aware of the new policy to avoid any unnecessary flight delays, the administration said on its Website.

It was the administration's latest move following last month's ban on liquids after two suspected terrorists were caught on a plane from Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region destined for Beijing on March 7.

The suspects, including a 19-year-old woman, had planned to ignite gasoline that they had smuggled onboard the China Southern Airlines flight.

Jelly, honey and toothpaste are all categorized as liquids and are banned from carry-on luggage, according to previous reports.

Airport staff members are required to open and check bags and the administration said it wants every vehicle entering an airport control zone to go through a safety check. All airlines must guarantee they do not load checked-in luggage if the passenger fails to board.

Meanwhile, the administration ruled on March 27 that airport security staff are required to check passengers' shoes for concealed knives, explosive materials or other forbidden items.

Late last month, airlines in cities such as Shanghai, Wuhan, Guilin, Jinan and Zhengzhou banned passengers from taking more than two lithium batteries onboard for each electronic item as the batteries are considered flammable.

(Shanghai Daily April 8, 2008)