What security measures are taken during Xi Jinping’s visit to a country?

This Monday, the 22nd, Chancellor Javier González-Olaechea assured that the president of the China, Xi Jinpingwill visit our country at the end of the year to participate in the inauguration of the Chancay megaport – work carried out by the Chinese company Cosco Shipping – and the summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC).

TO LOOK: Who is ‘Dumbo’, the Peruvian drug trafficker who became Argentina’s most wanted criminal?

Xi’s visit undoubtedly demonstrates the importance that Peru represents for the Asian giant’s plans in the region. To do this, just remember that the Chancay megaport is expected to become China’s main commercial link in South America.

However, as whenever a prominent figure arrives in our country, Xi’s visit is expected to bring with it a huge deployment of security and protection for one of the world’s most important leaders.

Xi’s various visits abroad reflected the rigor with which Chinese agencies plan each trip, although in many cases this has led to serious disruptions in daily life in the cities that host the Chinese leader.

Unlike other heads of state, such as the American case in which the president has the indestructible Air Force One at his disposal, Xi usually travels in a Boeing 747/400 operated by Air China, which when not transporting the leader of giant Asia is used to commercial flights.

Xi usually travels aboard a Boeing 747/400 which, when not transporting the Chinese president, carries out commercial flights. (TENGKU BAHAR/AFP/)

Once in the destination country, Xi has two options: board a vehicle provided by the host nation that meets the requirements previously presented by the Central Security Office, the body responsible for protecting senior Chinese officials; or, on the contrary, having transported to said country the imposing armored limousine specially designed by the Hongqi company for the ruler in power.

Known as N701, the presidential model is unique in the world and, as is typical of Chinese secrecy, its characteristics are considered a state secret. However, the limousine bears a great resemblance to the LS7 model, which is why it is known that its dimensions are 5.7 meters long by 2.02 meters wide and almost two meters high.

It is estimated that both the body and the windows have armor capable of stopping 50 caliber projectiles, increasing the weight of the machine well above its original 3 tons.

Chinese company Hongqi designed a special limousine for President Xi, known as N701 and valued at around US$6 million. (ANDY WONG/POOL/AFP/)

The vehicle’s axles are also further apart than normal to ensure stability at high speeds. Xi’s vehicle would also have a V8 or V12 engine, like those used by the Chinese brand in its exclusive L7 and L5 models, which is a guarantee of power despite the enormous weight.

The N701 also has a special communication system that ensures the Xi is always connected. The price of the vehicle is estimated to be at least US$6 million.

In addition to the cars, Xi’s trips abroad involve a mega deployment of both Chinese agents and authorities from the country that receives him.

To begin with, Xi is protected by the Central Guard Regiment, the most prepared squad of the 36 that make up the Central Security Office. Its members are elite agents selected from the Special Forces groups of the People’s Liberation Army. To work alongside Xi, agents are thoroughly vetted and selected by a special committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

During his visit to Madrid in 2018, for example, the Spanish National Police had to send dozens of officers to the city weeks before his arrival. As soon as Xi stepped onto Spanish soil, hundreds of agents from different government agencies accompanied the president during the 3 days he remained in the Spanish capital.

Security measures also included the closure of a large part of the center of Madrid, which caused real chaos.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020, Xi has remained protected in a health bubble and the country’s borders have been closed. On June 30, 2022, the Chinese leader would leave the mainland for the first time and did so to visit Hong Kong Island.

On that occasion, Xi traveled aboard a high-speed train and his two-day visit was characterized by the strict security controls installed throughout the former British colony.

Around 11,000 police officers were deployed to Hong Kong during Xi’s visit in 2022. (PETER PARKS/AFP/)

In total, around 11,000 police officers were deployed to Hong Kong, where drone flights were also banned while Xi was on the island, several helicopters were tasked with monitoring from the air, while 2-meter-high barriers were installed around the island. from the hotel and convention center where the Chinese president would appear.

The measures, reinforced both by the resurgence of COVID-19 and by the separatist protests that had emerged a few years earlier on the island, were so strict that the police even applied sealants between the paving stones of the sidewalks to prevent potential protesters from approaching. breaking them and throwing

Source: Elcomercio