Ahead of the September 3rd Beijing military parade, authorities have escalated security measures in the capital and surrounding areas. Starting from August 28th, the railway system has implemented a so-called “second security check” for all passengers traveling to Beijing. Many citizens have expressed that the rigorous security checks have caused inconvenience in their travels, shifting the burden onto ordinary people under the guise of a national ceremony.
As the countdown to the September 3rd military parade in Beijing continues, authorities are intensifying security measures. Mr. Zhang, a resident of Chaoyang District in Beijing, mentioned in an interview with Epoch Times that for the past half month, there have been daily inspections in his community. He expressed frustration, stating, “The neighborhood committee checks every two to three days, inspecting fire safety, checking for visitors, and claiming our area is a key security zone. Special police will be stationed on September 2nd, windows need to be sealed, and we have to move out on the day of the parade. I asked them what’s going on? It’s really exhausting.”
Mr. Zhang further noted that businesses on both sides of Chang’an Street have been required to close, with seals placed on the doors. Residents like him have to temporarily evacuate. He added, “They said they would arrange transportation, but we can only return after the parade. What kind of good deed is this? Everyone is complaining.”
The September 3rd military parade has been designated as a major ceremony by the authorities. Security requirements in Beijing have significantly increased compared to previous years. A community worker near Chaoyangmen Bridge told the reporter, “We are busy from 8 am to 9 pm every day, going door-to-door to distribute notices. If we spot suspicious individuals or petitioners, we detain them first and then report to the police station. The police officers are even more exhausted, eating instant noodles in their police cars at noon.”
The railway and postal systems have tightened security measures simultaneously. According to mainland media reports, the Hohhot Railway Bureau announced that starting from August 28th, all passengers heading to Beijing have to undergo a second security check in the waiting area after the initial screening at the station. The railway department advised passengers to arrive at least one hour early to prevent delays.
Mr. Xu, an employee at a post office on Chang’an Street in Beijing, informed reporters that they have been conducting “second inspections” for some time now. He stated, “We’ve started this already. When sending parcels from other places, we check once, and then check again upon arrival in Beijing. On September 2nd and 3rd, we will suspend acceptance here. Ordinary people won’t be able to send anything. They (the authorities) are experienced in handling such matters.”
Several passengers have taken to social media to complain that the second security check has made traveling even more challenging. One netizen sarcastically commented, “The military parade is for the leaders to see, but we ordinary folks are the ones suffering.” Taxi drivers also mentioned a significant drop in business due to the parade, “The roads are blocked, nowhere is easy to navigate, business has decreased by at least half.” Some businesses in the city center expressed grievances over the sharp decline in customers, stating, “Food deliveries cannot be made, logistics are disrupted, and the stores are empty every day.”
Observing from the Communist Party’s official rhetoric, “ensuring security” is the top priority. However, in the lives of the people, the costs are becoming increasingly heavy. An anonymous public administration scholar in Beijing pointed out that while the second security check may enhance safety technically, it underscores the authorities’ clear preference for “security” over “convenience.” He emphasized, “You cannot oppose it, and even complaining is risky. A few days ago, someone posted online about disturbing the peace, and I heard they were called in by the police for questioning, and it took them hours to be released. This is a mild case; there is an Iveco vehicle parked downstairs at my home every day.”
The scholar highlighted that the military parade is a typical “political ritual,” which imposes additional economic and living costs on society. “Such ceremonies may not necessarily bring about security but rather increase the resentment of the people,” he added.
Since mid-August, Beijing has continuously heightened security measures, with road closures, checkpoints, and community inspections emerging endlessly. Taxi drivers, businesses, and ordinary residents are all being forced to make way for the “national ceremony.” Many citizens describe almost every aspect of their lives being intertwined with security measures, from security checks at subway entrances, temporary inspections at community entrances, to blockades on highways, leaving people feeling increasingly suppressed.
As the military parade approaches, the security atmosphere in Beijing is becoming even more tense. While the authorities continue to tighten control in the name of “security,” the convenience in people’s daily lives faces unprecedented constraints. A netizen lamented in a WeChat group, “The military parade lasts only a day, but the inconvenience for ordinary people is a daily occurrence.”