Tour groups and independent travelers will be banned for almost two months from Beijing's prestigious and scenic Peking University, venue of the Olympic and Paralympic table tennis events.

The ban, from July 20 to September 18, was imposed because of security concerns, said Xing Jinsong, deputy head of the university's Campus Security Department.

Teachers, students and staff will have to show identity cards or passes issued by the university at all entrances to the campus, Xing said.

The Olympic table tennis events will be held from August 13 to 23 at the Peking University Gymnasium and the Paralympics events from September 7 to 16. Covering 26,900 square meters, the gymnasium has room for eight competition tennis tables and can seat 7,557.

During the summer vacation every year, thousands of tourists, including many parents from around the country, who give motivation to their children to succeed academically, visit Peking University each day.

Last year, the university took measures to cope with the huge numbers of sightseers, including requiring tour companies to book groups three days in advance, limiting the travel routes and organizing more than 100 volunteer guides.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2008)