The Hong Kong police yesterday expressed concern over the suspected terrorist attack in Xinjiang Uyur autonomous region, but kept security threat at moderate level during the equestrian events starting Saturday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Suen Kwai-leung said in a press conference yesterday that the police will liaise with law enforcement agencies on the mainland for details of the attack.

Yesterday's attack in Kashgar, a predominantly Muslim region in southern Xinjiang, killed and injured dozens of policemen yesterday morning. The regional public security department said it had got intelligence that the "East Turkistan Islamic Movement" planned to launch terrorist attacks ahead of the Olympic Games beginning on Friday, Xinhua reported.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing (center) and other officials brief the media on the equestrian events yesterday. While the games safety has been top concern, Tsang said efforts will also be made to minimize inconvenience to spectators. China Daily

"We are very concerned with the incident and we will communicate with the mainland law enforcement agencies to know more about this unfortunate incident," Suen said. "We will make our analysis to decide whether the incident will pose a threat to Hong Kong."

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said in Guangzhou yesterday that the SAR government had to review its security measures. But he stressed that the current level of security is sufficient.

Suen said that the police have been preparing for the equestrian events over the past two years. More than 20 government departments are involved in the security arrangement, he added.

Two special teams, including a venue task force and equestrian events crime team, have been formed.

While the security inside the competition venues will be handled by the Equestrian Company, the police will be called in to tackle any emergency situation.

"The police have the authority to be fully in charge of all operations involving the venues security staff, volunteers and other people in case of major incidents," he said.

The venue task force has been trained with the guidelines and rules of the Olympic Games.

"We are confident that we will be able to conduct a successful and safe equestrian events with the support of Hong Kong citizens," he said.

Other than the venues, the police will also keep a close vigil on the water and power supply systems, mass communication systems and public transport networks of the city, he added.

Equestrian Company chief executive officer Lam Woon-kwong urged all the spectators to obey the house rules, which prohibited political, religious or racial propaganda.

Smoking on spectator stand will also be prohibited. Umbrella must not be opened during competitions.

No drinks can be brought inside the competition venues, but small amount of medicine with label is allowed, Lam said.

Spectators are advised to arrive at the venue one or two hours earlier for security checks.

Lam added that competitions may be postponed because of bad weather.

Spectators can buy souvenir inside the venues and enjoy pre-game live entertainment performance.

Assistant Commissioner for Transport Cindy Law said the MTR will provide additional service for about two hours before and after the competition.

(HK Edition 08/05/2008 page1)