Beijing starts fire risk overhaul ahead of Party Congress

Beijing on Wednesday started a campaign to check and remove fire risks ahead of a key political meeting. The campaign, Night Action No. 1, was launched as part of the security maneuvers for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which is slated for Nov. 8, according to the municipal fire control authorities. The check-up covers venues that will serve the Party Congress, the capital's central political area, hotels, hospitals, schools, markets,stores, cinemas, clubs and Internet cafes, among others. The fire brigade will carry out their mission from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. every night to ensure that all the places are free of fire risks, well-equipped with fire control facilities and feature emergency response mechanisms. A new CPC leadership will be elected during the Party Congress, which will also set a direction for the country's development in the next five to ten years. More than 2,000 CPC delegates will convene in Beijing for the Party Congress that happens every five years.