China Cracking Down on Cabs Ahead of 18th National Party Congress

Beware of balls with slogans, authorities tell drivers as cabs are ordered to seal back seat windows to prevent handing out anti-government leaflets

The security lockdown ordered over Beijing for next week's 18th National Congress for the Communist Party of China (CPC) is reasonably literal for the city's taxi services. Taxi owners and drivers -- by some estimates over 67000 ply the city's roads – have been directed to seal the rear windows to prevent passengers from distributing anti-government leaflets.

According to a copy of the instructions distributed, drivers have also been asked to be alert about passengers carrying any kind of "balls" or "balloons".