ON RED ALERT

Soldiers in usher uniforms sitting near their fire extinguishers placed next to sofas during the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing recently. Because safety comes first, fire extinguishers are ubiquitous in and around the premises during the annual sessions of China’s Parliament and its official advisory body. That’s partly for preventing fire emergencies, but it also speaks of the fear of self-immolation as a form of dissent, acting as a safeguard against rogue elements who might infiltrate the gathering to stage a grisly protest.