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)