Beijing's security and traffic authorities are preparing for the hoards of visitors from all over the country who will descend on the capital during the coming National Day holiday.

The public security bureau said more than 700,000 residents had been mobilized to help maintain security and social order during the week-long holiday.

The local traffic management centre yesterday appealed for residents to make full use of the public transport network to alleviate already congested roads.

Vehicles will not be allowed to pass along roads west or east of the Great Hall of the People for most of the holiday, which runs from October 1 to 7.

Tightened security measures will be adopted for the thousands of people who plan to witness the flag-raising ceremony in Tiananman Square.

People will be guided by the police through appointed entrances into several defined areas, while policemen with metal detectors and sniffer dogs will monitor the entrances.

A police vehicle equipped with loudspeakers will be placed on the east side of Tian'anmen Square to help reunite people who have lost their friends and relatives.

Three batches of temporary toilets and four mobile toilets will also be placed in the square.

Some parks in the city said they would limit the number of people during the holiday.

Shijingshan Amusement Park will cap the number of visitors at 30,000 a day, and Longtan Park set its upper limit at 50,000.

There will be no limit for the Forbidden City, the Temple of Earth Park and the Temple of Heaven.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2006)