Protesters will get their own start and finish line at the 16th Asian Games when they are held in?Guangzhou in November next year.

Groups wanting to make a peaceful point during the Games will be able to do so from the confines of a special protest zone in Panyu district, said An Yaozhen, deputy director of the Games organizing committee's security department.

The idea of setting up a special protest zone was first tried on the mainland in Beijing in 2008 during the Olympic Games.

"Protesters have to abide by Chinese laws and relevant regulations in staging demonstrations," said An, who is also a deputy director of Guangzhou public security bureau's command center.

According to Chinese law, individuals and groups wanting to hold a protest must first obtain approval from the police.

Mo Wenliang, a police officer with Guangdong's provincial public security department, said authorities were studying the best way to review and approve such applications.

Peng Peng, a researcher from the Guangzhou academy of social sciences, said the fact that the city was prepared to set up a special protest zone shows it wants to address people's concerns.

The move also complies with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee and common practice among other cities hosting major international events, Peng said.

Some locals questioned whether the zone will make much difference. Beijing set up three such zones in the downtown area during the Games last year but no demonstrations were held.