Women in China can now use female-only lines at airport security after a three-month trial at Beijing Capital International Airport.

The government has claimed the move was made to allow women to avoid being frisked, as these particular lanes are entirely staffed by female guards.

But the initiative has caused controversy in certain circles, with people saying that it is just one of a series of recent measures by officials to control a person's liberty.

Beijing, Kunming and Wuhan airports have launched female-only queues, to help women avoid being frisked by male guards

The move has also raised eyebrows because of the insinuation by one male security guard that women take a long time to go through security because of the make-up and toiletries some carry.

The guard told People's Daily Online: 'Female passengers often put many cosmetics into suitcases and need to open their luggage for a check.

'We therefore added two inspectors to the female-only security check channel, which improved efficiency by 25 per cent.

'The new channel was even 10 per cent more efficient than the common security and no-baggage channels.'

The women-only lines, which now operate in Beijing, Kunming and Wuhan airport are marked by a pink sign.

While there have been some complaints about the policy, other passengers have claimed that the segregated lines move faster than the mixed ones.

While there have been some complaints about the policy, other passengers have claimed that the segregated lines move faster than the mixed ones

The move follows a decision to run a women-only bus during rush hour in the city of Zhengzhou as a result of men groping female passengers on mixed buses.

The number three bus company in Zhengzhou City introduced women only buses at peak times on April 26, the People's Daily Online reported.

Some women said they are fond of the new scheme and new mothers say it makes it easier for them to breastfeed their children on board.

However, just days after its launch, footage has already emerged of a pensioner complaining that the bus was sexist.