BEIJING (AP):

IN ANOTHER sign of tightening security for the Beijing Olympics, holders of tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies are now required to submit a photo to prevent the tickets from being sold or transferred.

The process of submitting photos began yesterday with a deadline set for January 31, organisers said in a statement. The photo and accompanying identification details will be matched with the ticketholder upon entering the stadium.

The requirement applies to residents of mainland China and any other ticketholder living outside China.

Organisers said the measure was being taken to "ensure security, eradicate fake tickets, control speculative ticket selling and safeguard the lawful interests of the majority of buyers."

Tickets for the two signature events are reportedly sold out at Beijing's National Stadium - known as the 'Bird's Nest' - which is set for completion this spring.

In recent months, officials have begun cracking down on foreigners living in China, hoping to keep potential protesters out of the country in the run-up to the August 8 opening of the 17-day Olympics.

China's one-party government wants to use the Olympics to showcase its growing international stature, but fears the event might be seized by groups wishing to air political or social grievances against the government.