The presence of heavily-armoured US Secret Service vehicles in Beijing signals the start of intense security preparations for the upcoming China-US leadership summit. The vehicles, part of the presidential motorcade, have sparked online discussions and highlight the extensive security measures in place for the high-profile diplomatic event.
Heavily-armoured United States Secret Service vehicles have been spotted in Beijing, signaling the intensifying security preparations for the highly anticipated China-US leadership summit scheduled for next week.
Two black SUVs with tinted windows and US government plates were seen on a Beijing highway, as reported by images circulating on social media. These vehicles, identified as Secret Service Suburban cars, are part of the presidential motorcade and are known for their robust security features. The sighting has sparked discussions online, with some netizens humorously questioning whether these foreign vehicles have obtained the necessary permits to operate on Beijing’s roads.
Since May 1, multiple C-17 aircraft have landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, transporting specialized infrastructure for the presidential visit. This includes armored vehicles, Secret Service communications equipment, and federal security advance teams. The centerpiece of the motorcade is the presidential limousine, nicknamed 'the Beast,' a custom-built Cadillac also known as 'Stagecoach.
' This vehicle is a moving fortress, designed to withstand bullets and bomb attacks. According to General Motors, the current version is based on the CT6 model and was first deployed in 2018 during former President Trump’s visit to New York. Priced at $1.5 million, the Beast weighs between 6,800kg and 9,100kg and is mounted on a heavy-duty truck chassis measuring about 5.5 meters in length.
The body is made of steel, aluminum, ceramic, and titanium, with windows fitted with 7.6cm multilayered bulletproof glass. The seven-seater limo features night-vision driving systems, tear gas cannons, smokescreens, and electrified door handles. It also has a sealed cabin with an independent oxygen supply to guard against chemical attacks, carrying the president’s blood type in a refrigerator for emergencies. The vehicle’s wheels are equipped with 'run-flat devices,' ensuring mobility even if the tires are damaged.
Inside, it is equipped with state-of-the-art communications systems, including internet access, a secure telephone network, and facilities to send nuclear codes. Several foreign leaders have traveled in the Beast alongside the president, including Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Alaska last August. The Chinese presidential limousine, made by luxury brand Hongqi, also known as Red Flag, is similarly armored and equipped with encrypted communication networks.
While details about the Chinese model are scarce, it is reported to measure about 5.5 meters in length and is fully armored. Hongqi also produces China’s most expensive and exclusive domestically made car, with commercial versions priced at around $1 million. Both presidential vehicles, despite their different designs and origins, are built to serve as rolling command centers with extensive security capabilities. The American president’s motorcade is a tightly coordinated, armored convoy managed by the US Secret Service.
Described as a 'White House on wheels,' the cavalcade includes its own emergency response force, communications unit, and medical facilities. Apart from the Beast, the convoy typically includes 30-50 vehicles, including decoy limos, a reconnaissance route car, sweeper cars and motorcycles, a 'watchtower' electronic countermeasures vehicle, and counter-assault team cars. The motorcade also features specialized vehicles equipped to counter nuclear, biological, or chemical threats, as well as ambulances.
The SUVs spotted in Beijing are modified to carry extreme weight, fitted with heavy steel armor and bulletproof glass to protect against gunfire, along with run-flat tires and hi-tech jamming equipment designed to block radio signals used to set off roadside bombs
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