The Yangtze River Administration issued a circular on 11 September, saying that between 21 September and 10 October, the anti-terrorist code will be activated in the Three Gorges Reservoir and all vessels passing the shiplocks will be checked. Those vessels carrying insufficient documentation or people other than crew would not be allowed to pass the shiplocks.

In addition, between 28 September and 8 October, all Grade 1 dangerous goods will be banned from passing the shiplocks, in a move to reduce safety risks around the National Day holidays, the navigation authority said.

Police patrol and monitoring measures with advanced equipment have been intensified in the Three Gorges area. The Three Gorges project, initiated in 1993, is a multi-functional water control system built on the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Its main components include the dam, a five-step shiplocks system, and 26 hydropower turbo-generators. Its key functions are flood control, power generation, and improved shipping and water supplies.