China tightens security as Olympics approach

Analysts say they expect beefed-up surveillance in coming months of Chinese groups deemed troublemakers, including pro-democracy advocates, religious groups and those who petition the government for justice.

They also expect more intense vetting of inbound tourists, more scrutiny of Chinese sports crowds, more ID checks almost everywhere and heightened Internet and media controls as the August games approach.

Tibetan unrest “is going to have a very significant impact,” said Tai Ming Cheng, a professor at the University of California, San Diego.

But Beijing probably will try to avoid having Olympics security become too draconian. “They’ll try and balance the amount of security and the need to keep their international reputation,” Cheng said.