Police on high alert as city prepares to count down to 2016
Print Edition
SECURITY was the priority last night as Shanghai prepared to celebrate the dawn of 2016, 12 months on from the New Year’s Eve tragedy on the Bund that left 36 people dead and 49 injured.
Armed and regular police officers were on duty at popular venues like the Bund, Xintiandi, Yuyuan Garden and Lujiazui.
Even though the city government said there would not be a countdown on the Bund this year, police issued a top-level security warning last night.
Thousands of regular officers were dispatched to the area, while armed police formed human barriers at the crossroads of Nanjing Road E.
The Huangpu District government erected four large screens that stated there would not be a countdown, while a message was broadcast urging people to “keep walking” and “take care” of children and the elderly.
If anyone stopped, police ordered them to keep walking.
Officers also used steel barriers to establish an emergency passage along the Bund, said Huang Zhijing, a senior police officer with Huangpu District.
Armed police were stationed every 10 meters behind the barriers, Huang said, adding that plainclothes officers worked in teams to hunt for pickpockets.
On Nanjing Road E., cleaner Du Wenjie said there were fewer people on the streets than on previous New Year’s Eves.
“I hope people will be better-mannered to make the road and the city more beautiful,” he told Shanghai Daily.
Rodolfo Hernandez and Stephanie Solis, a couple from Costa Rica, said they were making their first visit to the city.
“We heard about the tragedy last year, but we believe it will be safer this year,” Hernandez said.
They planned to head to the Bund from Nanjing Road E.
Simon Depussay from France said he wanted to find a bookstore near the Bund to spend the night alone but was struggling to find one.
“I wish the city had more bookstores,” said Depussay, who works at a local kindergarten.
Taiping Lake Park in Xintiandi was busy last night as people prepared for a countdown and pop concert there.
A 70-meter-long, 30-meter-wide LED display illuminated the stage and screened different scenes to accompany the performances.
A huge electronic mirror ball dangled from the middle of the stage.
Zhang Wanhua, 32, said he had gone to the Xintiandi complex for dinner with his wife and 4-year-old daughter.
“We might hang around after dinner to enjoy the holiday atmosphere,” he said.
Longhua Temple in Xuhui District was planning to host its traditional bell-tolling ceremony at midnight. The number of visitors was limited to 6,000 as a safety measure.
A new bronze bell weighing 8 tons was struck for the first time to absolve sins and bring good luck. It was tolled 108 times because it is believed striking bells 108 times eliminates anxiety, grief and worries.
Visitors also took part in other traditional rituals, such as eating bowls of noodles, and hanging their wishes on tree branches.
Lisa Pfau from Germany said she visited the Temple with her parents after finding out there would not be a major celebration on the Bund. She said she wanted to experience some Chinese culture.
“We watched a Chinese dragon dance, which was interesting,” she said.
The temple also imposed strict security measures and checked all visitors before allowing them to enter.
Ji Ping, who lives near the temple, said she had visited the temple on New Year’s Eve many times before.
“I pray for the health of my family,” she said.
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