Beijing's deputy Party secretary said at an Olympic forum on
Monday that the world is facing an increasing threat from terrorism
and international cooperation is imperative in fighting it.
"As a massive gathering of thousands of athletes, coaches,
journalists and leading officials from more than 200 countries, the
Olympic Games is one of the prime targets for terrorists who want
to make worldwide unrest," said Qiang Wei.
Nearly 200 security officials and experts from home and abroad
attended the forum in the capital, exchanging experiences on
anti-terrorism and Olympic security.
Qiang told them that Beijing is following a comprehensive Olympic
security plan which involves the participation of almost all
security organizations in the city, such as the public security
bureau, national security bureau and armed police.
Even drivers of subway trains, buses and taxis, and members of
neighborhood committees, have been included in the scheme, Qiang
said.
Apart from mobilizing domestic resources, Qiang said Beijing
would team up with institutions from other countries in its
preparations for the Games.
He said several leading police officials from six other capitals
attended a forum in Beijing last November, where they agreed to set
up a cooperation mechanism on anti-terrorism.
"In future, we will try to work with many more cities,
especially those that have hosted the Olympic Games, to learn about
their experiences in security and enhance intelligence exchanges
with them," said Qiang, also head of the Olympic security
coordination team established in December.
He said Beijing would set up a special anti-terrorism force, armed
with advanced equipment, and invite foreign experts to train them.
The forum is part of the China (Beijing) International
Exhibition and Symposium on Police Equipment and Anti-terrorism
Technology and Equipment.
The exhibition is to be held from today to Thursday at the
Beijing Exhibition Center.
(China Daily May 10, 2005)
