SECURITY is being stepped up for trains from Shanghai to Beijing in the lead-up to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China from October 18.

Police said extra checks would be implemented in waiting rooms at Hongqiao Railway Station and Shanghai Railway Station from today.

The increased security will run until October 30 and passengers should allow more time for processing.

For the first time, luggage at Hongqiao will be x-rayed in the waiting area, instead of manual checks. Shanghai Railway Station already routinely steps up checks during critical times.

Each day, 37 trains from Shanghai to Beijing leave from or pass through Hongqiao and five leave from Shanghai Railway Station.