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Beijing, the host city for the 2008 Olympic Games, yesterday gave
details of its Olympic security scheme, which will play an over-arching
role in preparations for the sports gathering.
The massive scheme involves the participation of almost all the
security organizations around the city.
This includes public security, national security and the armed police.
Safety departments at various work units and even drivers of subway
trains, buses and taxis will be involved, said Qiang Wei, Beijing's deputy
Party secretary.
He said Beijing would also work with the security organs of other
countries - such as the United State, Germany, Britain, France and Russia
- to enhance its defence against riots or terrorist attacks.
Qiang, also head of the co-ordination team
organizing Olympic security that was established last December, made the
remarks at a rally yesterday, which marked the implementation of the
city's Olympic security master plan
.
But he did not reveal the budget for running the security scheme, which
contains all-round protection in the air, on land and at sea for the
Games.
Athens, which hosted the Olympic Games last year, spent more than 1
billion euros (US$1.3 billion) on security.
China's security programme could include security
features similar to those used in Athens, which had a vast computer surveillance
network with
thousands of hidden cameras and microphones that analyzed dozens of
languages.
"We should learn from Athens, which had an advanced security management
system and high-tech equipment in order to ensure a safe environment for
the Games," said Qiang.
The city has already dispatched five groups, involving a total of 39
people, to Athens to learn about its experiences.
"We do not want to turn Beijing into a fortress , but a place with an
auspicious and peaceful atmosphere that will make athletes, coaches and
visitors feel relaxed and safe," Qiang said.
Ma Zhenchuan, director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau,
said apart from safety protection, providing a good service to
participants was another priority task.
Ma said his bureau would carry out a seven-year language training
programme, which started in 2001 when Beijing was picked to host the 2008
Summer Olympics.
He said Beijing police will encounter thousands of people who do not
speak any Chinese during the 2008 Olympics.
"We have published a textbook of 'Olympic Security English' which
mainly focuses on the handling of every possible problem that may happen
during our security work for the Games," said Ma, who is a deputy head of
the co-ordination team organizing Olympic security.
Ma said his team would set up two branches - the Olympic security
command centre and the intelligence centre - by June this year.
(China Daily) | 
Updated: 2005-03-24 08:54
