Beijing - Police in China have been urged to be on the alert for threats from the banned spiritual movement, Falun Gong, over the Chinese New Year's celebrations, writes Miriam Donohoe. The authorities are keen to avoid a repeat of the last Chinese New Year, when thousands of Falun Gong supporters swarmed Tiananmen Square to protest against the clampdown on the movement.
The country's handling of the peaceful protests faces special scrutiny this year with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due in Beijing on February 10th.