According to this article from News 24 South Africa the Chinese plan to send a law enforcement agent up to 6600m to prevent robberies at the high camps on the mountain.
Last year, amidst the record number of summitteers, commotion with the Discovery Team and the Olympic Torch test run, there were a lot of reported thefts of supplies, gear, oxygen bottles and other items on the mountain. The Chinese want to ensure that the area is as safe as can be, and hope to prevent future crimes by having someone stationed on the mountain throughout the climbing season.
The climate on Everest in general, and the North Side specifically, have been kind of like the Wild West in recent years. Base camp has become a busy place, with all manner of sordid activities going on. With the increased presence of the Chinese in BC next year, that should help some there, but who would want to be the poor bastard who draws the short straw for this duty?
This comes via the GoBlog
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