The 10,000 pigeons released in a ceremony for China's National Day underwent unusual scrutiny, each having its feathers checked for dangerous materials, state-run media reports said, reflecting government jitters over possible attacks.
The symbols of peace were released at sunrise in Beijing's symbolic heart of Tiananmen Square in a ceremony for the October 1 holiday to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Beijing domestic security police officer Guo Chunwei was quoted in the Jinghua Times as saying workers checked the wings, legs and bottom of each pigeon ahead of time to ensure they were "not carrying suspicious material".
The entire process was videoed, and the birds were then loaded into sealed vehicles for the trip to Tiananmen Square, the newspaper said.