Hijack attempt on flight sparks security fears

Airport authorities across China have strengthened security checks after the foiled hijacking of an aircraft in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Friday.

Six Uygur people used crutches and "held items suspected to be explosives" - according to a People's Daily report - to try to break into the cockpit 10 minutes after the airplane took off. The crew and other passengers overpowered them.

Many airports including two in Shanghai and one in the provincial capital Changchun of Jilin, said they had implemented third-level security in light of the attacks.