Beijing bans more items from subway

A police officer instructs a sniffer dog to check a bag during a subway security check in Beijing thismonth. Liu Chang / for China Daily

Beijing transportation authorities have issued a new list of items that subway passengers are banned from carrying onto the network.

For the first time the list rules out several everyday household items, including containers of 2 liters or more of white spirit, more than five cigarette lighters per person, toilet water and hair gel.

Viruses or bacteria being used for research also cannot be carried onto the system.

Folding bicycles are not on the list, but passengers cannot clear them through the security check. The authorities explained that large or bulky items are banned because they are an inconvenience to passengers.

Since the start of this year, public transportation authorities have seized more than 73,000 prohibited items, including 25,000 knives or daggers and 20,000 flammable or explosive items.

Zhang Beixi, a postgraduate student who commutes on the Beijing subway everyday, said that a more efficient checking procedure is needed as she is often held up in long queues before the security check, especially at peak times.

A subway security officer, who asked not to be named, said they are striving to improve efficiency. Public understanding and cooperation is important, the officer said.

Compared with Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou ban far fewer items from their subway systems.