In recent times, series of hoaxes have disrupted several flights in China. The Ministry of Public Security reacted and demanded strict punishments for the suspects. The ministry said that people who make fake threats to the airlines can face criminal charges, instead of being detained for a few days.
During the past week, a series of threats led to disruption in scheduled flights and airport operations. In two recent cases of multiple bomb threats that targeted civilian flights, suspects have been apprehended. The Ministry said that the public security departments must use legal weapons to handle such offenses in a heavier, as well as faster way. It was also added that the offenders must be treated as criminal offenders, instead of being punished with administrative detention.
On May 17, 2013, between 5:22 pm and 5:25 pm, the police in Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Tianjin received phone calls which claimed the bombs have been placed on airplanes bound for Shanghai.
On Saturday, May 18, 2013, the police detained a 43-year-old man, who confessed that he made fake bomb threats. On May 15, 2013, bomb threats were also made against three Chinese airlines, which affected five flights to Shenzen, Guangdong province.
