Beijing has widened a ban on flying activities to include pigeons and kite flying in its latest efforts to beef up security ahead of the National Day celebrations, police said Tuesday.

The ban, which is effective from September 15 to October 8, applies to sports, recreational and advertising flight activities in the capital.

Li Runhua, head of the public security squadron of the Beijing municipal public security bureau, said residents were banned from releasing pigeons, and flying kites and balloons even at celebrations and shopping promotions.

Li encouraged residents to report to police if they find suspicious flying objects.

Police also started to check every vehicle entering Beijing at nearly 200 major road intersections and security check points on Tuesday.

Police would check drivers' and passengers' ID and confiscate imitation guns, fireworks and knives until October 8.

More than 7,000 police have been patrolling the city's major roads and business districts since August 22.

China will stage a wide array of activities, including a grand military parade in Beijing, to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on October 1.

Chinese citizens will have an eight-day public holiday from October 1 to 8.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2009)