China: Increased security almost certain during US secretary of treasury visit to Beijing and Guangzhou through April 9

Increased security is almost certain in parts of Beijing and Guangzhou through April 7 amid US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen's visit to the two cities. On April 4, Secretary Yellen will arrive in Guangzhou and will attend several high-level meetings, including an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), until April 6. During the afternoon of April 6, the US diplomat will depart for Beijing. On April 7, Secretary Yellen will hold several sessions with Chinese officials and visit Peking University. On April 8, she will convene with additional Chinese representatives, including Vice Premier Liu He and People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng, before conducting a live conference. On April 9, Secretary Yellen will depart from Beijing.

While neither Beijing nor Washington has released additional details of the agenda for the visit, potential venues for gatherings include the AmCham office on Huanshi East Road and prominent government buildings in Guangzhou. In Beijing, the diplomat will likely visit the Great Hall of the People, the US Embassy, and Zhongnanhai.

Increased security measures are likely in Beijing and Guangzhou, especially near stops on Yellen's itinerary. Authorities will likely establish checkpoints and block roads to facilitate the diplomat's movements, leading to localized traffic disruptions. Authorities could temporarily close airspace around Beijing and Guangzhou as Secretary Yellen arrives and departs from the cities.