A train leaves a railway station in Yichang, Hubei province on Sept 3, 2012. [Photo by Zhou Jianping/Asianewsphoto]

Safety checks for hand and checked luggage of railway passengers has been tightened as of Oct 20 as railway authorities brace for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

In a joint statement with the Ministry of Public Security on Thursday, the Ministry of Railways announced that authorities will further tighten security checks between Oct 20 and Nov 18.

Railway passengers must check edged and blunt tools, including kitchen, table and fruit knives, scissors, hammers and axes before boarding and no explosive, toxic, radioactive and infectious matter will be allowed into train stations.

The 18th Party Congress is scheduled to open on Nov 8.

The authorities said safety check points will be set up at train stations and inside the trains and they request passengers to abide by the tightened safety rules.