Beijing holds first terrorism drill in 2015

BEIJING - Beijing's police department had its first terror drill of 2015 on Friday afternoon, which aimed to grantee security -- preparing especially for Chinese New Year.

About 200 members of the police, special forces and armed police participated in the drill. In addition, two helicopters and more than 40 special vehicles -- for traffic control and other emergency response efforts -- were used, a police spokesperson said.

In the drill, police officers showed they were able to handle simulated terror incidents in 40 minutes, said Ma Dong, deputy head of the counter-terrorism department of Beijing Public Security Bureau.

He said the exercise aimed to test the response and coordination of the police.

The simulated terror incidents featured two terrorists cells that intended to attack Beijing.

The police set up checkpoints on key city roads. Two terrorists then tried to gain access to the capital. The simulated incident ended with one shot dead and another injured.

After that, another three terrorists attacked civilians in Beijing. Police arrived at the location within one minute, killing one.

The two terrorists rushed to a shop and took two people hostage. After negotiations failed, the police shot the men dead and saved the hostages.

Beijing will strengthen counterterrorism efforts this year, and safeguard the city's stability and security in the upcoming lunar new year as well as China's "two sessions" -- the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the spokesperson said.

Beijing's police department ran a total of 11 anti-terror drills last year.