BEIJING (AP) — China has ordered stepped-up safety measures during the Lunar New Year travel rush in the wake of terrorist threats and a December stampede in Shanghai that killed 36 people.
The government estimates about 2.8 billion trips will be made by train, bus, plane and car during the 40-day travel rush that began in early February and ends around March 15.
While the travel peak is always hectic, special measures have been put in place this year, including restricting access to crowded areas such as train platforms and stationing watchmen on elevated posts to keep an eye out for trouble. A circular from China's Cabinet threatened punishment for officials found lacking in their duties.
Eleven officials were disciplined over the Dec. 31 stampede in Shanghai's historic riverfront Bund area.