Originally Posted by
Bub001
Doubt it’s anything to do with Xi. It’s a matter of approach. In Chinese airlines, it’s clearly meant to deter antisocial behaviour, in US it’s element of surprise. Personally I prefer the PRC approach..,on the whole I want fewer people running round an aircraft with guns, not more. Others will have the opposing view.
I moved to China in 2013, and have lived here ever since. Over the last 5 years, security has gotten much more strict and noticeable. Beijing subway now has metal detectors, you even now need to go through a metal detector to enter PVG. Further, customs has become more strict, when I first arrived I rarely had to scan my bag when entering the country, now everybody has to. Now all foreigners have to be finger printed at the passport check, it is even common for Z-visa applicants to have to travel to the embassy or consulate to be finger printed. On Sunday morning, I returned to China after a brief international trip, and every single person was stopped at quarantine to have their temperature taken. Apparently they has been an outbreak of measles in the region, but I am curious to see if that is the new normal as well.