More than 650,000 volunteers in Beijing will emerge in lanes and streets of Beijing to help police with security during the upcoming annual sessions of China's national legislature and national advisory body.

The volunteers, who are called "Red Armbands" since they wear a red armband on duty, took part in a patrol ceremony Monday as the launch of their missions. They have played an important role in public security during the big events occurring in Beijing in recent years, local police said.

According to the police, 448 suspects have been detained in 403cases handled with the clues provide by volunteers who performed their duties ahead of the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the China People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) starting this week.

This is another move by the police to tighten security for the high-profile national political events.

From March 1 to 20, police will take measures to restrict trucks and passenger cars from entering the city. Passenger cars with a pass to the capital will be allowed to stay for three days instead of 30 days.

Last week, Beijing banned hot air balloons, parachutists and other aeronautic performances over the capital and cleared up cars without licenses at bus and train stations.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2005)