Locals were stunned by the sheer number of cameras installed at a single road junction in China, where even the residents are accustomed to being closely monitored.

This highly monitored intersection is located in Yangqu County, Shanxi Province, and the extraordinary surveillance setup was first revealed on January 6.

Footage shows an individual approaching a metal barrier extending from a pole covered in cameras, all pointing in various directions.

China is globally recognised for its expansive surveillance infrastructure, with an estimated 700 million CCTV cameras as of 2023.

These cameras are said to be part of the country's broader security apparatus, designed to enhance public safety and deter crime.

A 2022 report by the China Internet Network Information Centre highlighted that advanced facial recognition and AI systems are integrated into many of these cameras to improve monitoring efficiency.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse, particularly in urban areas where such surveillance is most concentrated.