Myanmar to tighten security during ASEAN summit

The Myanmar government prepares to deploy 20,000-strong police force to guard the upcoming 25th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw when a number of regional and international leaders will be attending, according to the Myanmar Police Force Tuesday.

Security for the participating foreign leaders is being unprecedentedly tightened at all entries into the country including airports, seaports, highway terminals and city entry checkpoints.

The police authorities have notified people to hold their identity cards or effective travel documents when traveling during the period, saying that passengers on highway buses will be thoroughly checked.

The ASEAN Summit, to be hosted by Myanmar, is slated for Nov. 12-13 at the Myanmar International Convention Center in the capital.

Along with the summit, there will also be related ASEAN+3 Summit, 9th East Asia Summit, ASEAN-China Summit, ASEAN-Japan Summit, ASEAN-South Korea Summit, ASEAN-India Summit, ASEAN-U.S. Summit, ASEAN-UN Summit and ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit.

Myanmar, the rotating chair of ASEAN this year for the first time after joining the grouping in July 1997, hosted the 24th ASEAN Summit in May.