Road, tunnel and subway closures; spot checks for residents; maximum security: The French city of Lyon was in lockdown mode Tuesday as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on a state visit.
Xi chose to kick off a lavish three-day French trip with a whistle-stop tour of a city which, as a former silk centre, forged links with China from the 16th century that have endured until today.
And while the Chinese leader and his glamorous wife Peng Liyuan were only staying just over 16 hours before travelling up to Paris to sign major deals, authorities had left nothing to chance.
The hotel where the couple was due to stay was cordoned off and heavily guarded by police while adjacent streets were completely closed off.
Residents in some parts of the centre — including those living near the hotel — were ordered to carry ID and proof of their address to get in and out of their homes.
According to local newspaper Le Progres, hundreds of riot police and special forces had been mobilised, some positioned on rooftops to protect the Chinese leader.
"This is going to hurt us, hurt the clients and people working here," said shop employee Lydie Cacciatore, looking on.
A square in front of the city hall, where Xi was to attend a sumptuous dinner, had been cordoned off and police deployed.
