Heat, Police, and Tian’anmen

The intense heat here in Beijing has prompted some interesting newspaper photos. In the past few days we have been treated to elephants bathing, pandas frolicking on ice-cubes, and children playing in fountains.

Another popular theme is police officers drinking water at Tian’anmen Square. Photographers from China News Service (top) and Beijing Morning Post (lower left) captured images of citizens bringing bottled water to security personnel on duty. The Beijing Morning Post article points out, however, that the water carriers belong to Tian’anmen’s management committee, which must keep several hundred security and janitorial workers conscious as they maintain the Square’s image in their formal uniforms.

The Beijing News (bottom right), offers an action photo of a police officer drinking water in front of the Gate.