Chinese police prepare for attacks ahead of expo

Armed police should work “to ensure a safe World Expo,” Meng Jianzhu said, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Law enforcement agencies were ramping up preparations for the expo to start May 1 and run for six months in China's commercial capital.

Chinese police will be on alert for violence and civil disturbances such as protests that might cause instability or show the country in a bad light.

Xinhua quoted Meng saying police will need to concentrate on coping with “complicated situations.” It did not give details, but that could refer to possible protests.

Authorities were quick to seize foreign activists who unfurled “Free Tibet” banners during the Beijing Olympics in August 2008 and roughed up journalists trying to cover the protests.

Shanghai authorities have stressed they will be vigilant and have already stared installing scanners in subway stations to check people's bags.

The event is expected to draw 70 million visitors. Most will be Chinese but representatives from at least 192 countries and 50 international organizations are expected to participate in the expo, Xinhua said.

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