Beijing has launched a campaign to increase police presence in the city center to better deal with terrorism and emergencies, police authorities said Thursday.

More armed police will be patrolling on Tiananmen Square and at main business centers along the Chang'an Avenue, including Wangfujin and Xidan, the municipal public security bureau said in a statement.

The move will also help to clamp down on crimes at the usually hot tourism destinations, it said.

The bureau said that it will also send more police patrolling in other major areas to ensure the Chinese capital as a safe place.