Officers inspect special police vehicles parked outside a pavilion at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, on May 23, 2014. The Forum, held jointly with the Silk Road International Exposition, opened on the morning of May 23 and attracted 674 enterprises and organizations from over 77 countries and regions. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

At least two special police vehicles with a number of officers and armed police were posted at every pavilion. Shaanxi Province armed police authorities arranged for over 100 top-ranked officers to provide security four days before the event opened. Officers, equipped with a series of counter-terrorism equipment such as restraining forks, were assigned to guard pavilions, patrol and emergency response.

Armed police officers patrol outside a pavilion at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

Special police officers line up in front of police vehicles outside a pavilion at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

Police officers patrol outside a pavilion at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

A special police officer stands outside a pavilion at the 18th Investment & Trade Forum between East & West China on May 23, 2014. Photo: Liu Sha/GT

Photo: Liu Sha/GT