The Chinese military has increased its activity in areas near the border with North Korea, the Washington Free Beacon reported Wednesday. The move seems to be part of preparations for a mass influx of refugees from the North should war ever break out on the Korean Peninsula.

The American online media outlet said photos and eyewitness accounts of local residents also confirmed the increased activity. On April 17, photos posted online showed troops marching on a road in Shenyang in the direction of Dandong near the Apnok (or Yalu) River, and military vehicles carrying several tanks were spotted in Liaoyang, Liaoning Province near the border.

Chinese Su-27 fighter jets are also making daily sorties, according to an eyewitness account. Some believe Chinese troops in the region have been put on the highest -level combat readiness posture.

Other online posts claim that the Liaoning and Jilin provincial governments are developing plans for a mass influx of North Korean refugees.

The increased activity was first detected last month, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

Citing U.S. officials, it also said "Another sign of increased military activity was a notice issued by Chinese security police in Yanbian, a town near the northwestern Chinese border, that all video recording and photo taking were banned because of the North Korean situation."