The Chinese authorities have stepped up safety measures for a FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Korea and China slated for Thursday night.

The match comes amid growing tensions between the countries over the scheduled deployment of the U.S. THAAD antimissile system in South Korea and anti-Korean sentiment in China.
 
According to the Korea Football Association(KFA) on Wednesday, the Chinese government plans to have around ten-thousand policemen on standby inside the venue, Helong Stadium in Hunan Province.
 
The KFA said the stadium can accommodate up to 55-thousand people, including 15-thousand standing spectators, but the Chinese authorities will allow only 31-thousand spectators for the match due to security concerns.
 
China also prepared 250 seats for South Korean supporters in a separate space from the Chinese spectators, and plans to have Chinese security officials stand guard for them.
 
The match will kick off at 8:35 p.m. Korean time.