China Southern Airlines' aviation police, set to begin their mission Oct. 1, would arm themselves with special weapons, the Information Times reported Sunday.

The weapons and ammunition will be "non-explosive" because normal firearms are extremely dangerous in pressurized aircraft.

There are 2,000 air police being deployed nationwide to ensure flight safety on domestic airlines, but the newspaper did not say whether air police working for other airlines would carry firearms.

The new security staff will travel as crewmembers and are trained to react swiftly to any emergency situation when the plane is airborne.

The police, working as public servants, are under 28 years old. They are under the joint jurisdiction of aviation and public security authorities, with aviation authorities in charge of daily management and the public security focusing on funding, work standards and training.

Their salaries will be paid by State finance and allowances from airlines.

China's airlines used to deploy plainclothes security guards on aircraft. The new air police will wear uniforms and patrol openly.

(Shenzhen Daily September 15, 2003)