China has beefed up its security preparations in the run-up to the expo, a marquee event expected to draw 70 million visitors during its six-month run. The expo, which will showcase pavilions from every nation, officially opens Saturday with world leaders in attendance.
An official at the Dulata Entry Port with Kazakhstan, surnamed He, confirmed that the borders will be closed for five days, from April 30 until May 4. China celebrates May 1, or May Day, as a national holiday.
Another staffer who worked at the Torugart Entry Port, one of the two with Kyrgyzstan, said he didn't know the reason for the closure.
“I just heard it will be closed for May 1st Labor Day (holiday),” said the staffer who didn't give his name as is common among Chinese officials.
Calls to the posts along the borders with Russia, North Korea, and Pakistan were not answered.
At a regularly scheduled news conference Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu denied knowledge of the border closure, but added, “We have reminded Kyrgyzstan side to enhance security measures to safeguard security of Chinese citizen and organizations there.” Kyrgyzstan has been wracked by political turmoil after its president Kurmanbek Bakiyev was deposed in a violent April 7 uprising that left 85 people dead in the capital.
A Russian news agency, Itar-Tass, reported Tuesday that China had decided to temporarily close the border with Kyrgyzstan, citing sources in the Kyrgyz border services.
It did not give a reason.
Earlier this year, China's Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu warned police to prepare for any possible emergencies or terrorist attacks during the event, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
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. Meng was quoted as saying police will need to concentrate on coping with “complicated situations.” It did not give details.
During the Beijing Olympics in 2008, China launched a massive security clampdown, canceling tourist visas and clearing the city of migrants months ahead of the games.
