Beijing has mobilized 850,000 residents to help police patrol the city during commemorations of the end of World War II and the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) world championships.[Special coverage]
A spokesman with Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau said Wednesday the public would start the duties from Thursday.
Having received training, the volunteers are from all walks of life and all districts of the city, said the spokesman.
They will be dispatched to "every street, every hutong (alley)", as well as stores and markets. If they find any suggestion of "security hazards," they will report it to police.
China has scheduled a series of events to mark the anniversary of the end of the war, culminating in a military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3. The IAAF championships will be held in Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest stadium from Aug. 22 to 30.
