Security squeeze in China's capital ahead of communist celebration

Beijing karaoke bars are closing, toy weapon sales are banned and every delivery package is being scanned: the capital is taking no chances weeks ahead of a massive military parade to mark Communist China's 70th anniversary.

Beijing has been preparing for the big celebration well ahead of the October 1 event, with several large screens installed at Tiananmen Square, where tanks and other army hardware will be shown off.

Security was already tighter than usual to enter Beijing's massive square as guards sifted through every bag in the long line of local tourists heading for a visit on Thursday. An AFP journalist was not allowed to go through.

Several kilometres away, the Workers Stadium has been closed off, with temporary high walls covered in fake grass surrounding the facility normally used by Chinese football team Beijing Guoan.

A security guard told AFP that the government "wants to use the stadium for the 70th anniversary preparations." All businesses inside the stadium, including a gym and restaurants, have been told to close between September 5 and the October 1 national day.

"The government has notified us to close up," said Joey Xu, manager of Puerta 20, a restaurant inside the stadium. "Our staff will be offered paid vacation. But the government isn't compensating businesses for their losses," he said.

Other businesses near the stadium are also closing up from mid-September.

"Authorities fear that businesses around the stadium that operate late into the night, especially ones with loud patrons like ours, could cause disturbances," said a manager at Mei