"Are They Crazy During Rush Hour?" Chinese Citizens Outraged as Subway Security Checks Expand to Body Inspections

China Ramps Up Security Ahead of APEC Summit
Major Security Checks in Subway Spark Severe Rush Hour Congestion
Crackdown Extends to E-Bikes and Public Smoking

Inside the crowded Shenzhen subway station due to security screening. Weibo

As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit approaches in November, the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, China has implemented an almost complete security regime. However, comprehensive regulations ranging from subway security checks to air and transportation restrictions are significantly disrupting daily routines, leading to growing citizen dissatisfaction. There are also concerns that excessive controls could undermine the city's openness and efficiency, further reinforcing a rigid urban image.

Major Subway Searches... 9.42 Million Passengers Affected

On July 19, the city of Shenzhen announced that it would conduct security body checks on subway passengers and require all carry-on items to be screened via X-ray. The government banned not only explosives, but also large perfume bottles, opened bottles of alcohol, cigarette lighters, and insecticides from being carried onboard. The authorities did not specify an end date for these additional restrictions.

As a result, congestion during rush hours worsened sharply. At major stations such as Pingzhou and Chegongmiao, waiting lines stretched over 100 meters, with some passengers having to wait more than 30 minutes just to enter the subway. Given that Shenzhen Metro is the third largest transportation network in China, with a daily ridership of 9.42 million people, the impact of these measures is especially significant.

Local social media feeds have been flooded with complaints such as, "Safety is important, but the amount of lost time is overwhelming," "Commuting hours are just crazy," and "I’m more worried about getting crushed in the crowd than about terrorism."

Passengers are passing through security gates in the subway of Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China. Photo by Seongdo Daily

Experts note that while enhancing security is inevitable ahead of a major international event, uniformly applied regulations can lower public acceptance. Some have suggested more flexible approaches, such as operating separate gates for seniors, students, and passengers without bags.

City Airspace Shut Down... Drones and Balloons Completely Banned

Controls have been significantly tightened not only at ground level but also in city airspace. Shenzhen public security authorities have designated central Futian District, the city’s core area, as a no-fly zone until November 23. Operation of all low-altitude flying objects—including drones, FPV drones, model aircraft, helicopters, paragliders, hot air balloons, kites, and sky lanterns—is strictly prohibited in this area. Violators may face criminal liability.

The no-fly zone includes the area surrounding the Shenzhen InterContinental Hotel and Convention Center, which are potential venues for the APEC summit. It is also reported that urban maintenance projects, such as park construction, are being conducted nearby.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) recently suggested that Chinese authorities may have become even more sensitive about city airspace safety after an incident involving a light aircraft crashing into a skyscraper in Beijing.

Comprehensive Urban Clean-Up... A Test for the City’s Image

Taking the APEC summit as an opportunity, Shenzhen is also overhauling overall city management. To address the issue of roughly 6 million electric bicycles, the city has restricted their operation in key event areas, and has designated train stations and the public areas of Shenzhen–Hong Kong border crossing facilities as complete no-smoking zones. Crackdowns and educational efforts targeting "uncivilized behavior" such as unauthorized street vending and littering are also underway.

These measures are interpreted as part of a strategy to highlight Shenzhen as an orderly international city. However, some suggest that excessive controls could increase resident fatigue and present a rigid city image to foreign visitors. There is a sense that the city’s identity as a “symbol of reform and openness” is being put to the test.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.