China to ban air freighting of 'dangerous goods'

Air freighting of other "dangerous goods" barring some items for public health and medical uses would also come under the ban that would cover Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao and Qingdao, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said.

During the ban period that would last till September 30, flights carrying high-risk chemicals such as poisonous gas and radioactive substances, to other cities must be inspected and authorised by the administration, state-run Xinhua news agency said quoting CAAC.

"Dangerous goods" urgently needed by the state or in disaster relief work must go through the same process and be recorded, CAAC said.

A raft of measures, including banning of lighters and matches from carry-on luggage and crews on international flights and limiting the number of cabin baggage articles and checking shoes, is already in place to ensure aviation safety ahead of the Olympics in August.

With terrorism identified as the biggest threat to the Olympics, security has been a top priority for the government.

On June 11, China launched a series of week-long nationwide anti-terrorist drills, including missions to deal with a chemical attack and hijacking of athletes buses, to brace itself up to the threats to the Olympics.