The Police and Science International Forum opened on Sunday in Hangzhou, the capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province. The three-day event has attracted more than 300 specialists from around the world to discuss the latest police science techniques and technologies.

Chinese police are paying particular attention to the application of this information to security for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

To provide a safe and secure environment for Games participants, a comprehensive security plan incorporating advanced science and technology will be implemented, according to Cao Dongxiang, director of the Major Event Division of the Beijing Public Security Bureau. Measures being discussed include major event security, crisis management and anti-terrorism.

“We should formulate and improve laws and regulations related to the Olympics to provide legal support for safeguards,” said Cao.

Public relations training is also necessary to create a kind and professional image of Chinese police, Cao added.

Possible challenges for security may appear as offshoots of wars in other parts of the world, threats from terrorists and possible conflicts caused by differences among nations, cultures, history and ideologies, said Cao.

Traffic control in Beijing is also a major hurdle. Estimates put 3 to 4 million motorized vehicles on the streets of the capital city by 2008.

Law enforcement authorities from the Athens Olympics and experts from the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia suggest that China study examples provided by other international sporting events.

“Measures being considered and planned now by China will be part of the careful planning for the Beijing Olympic Games,” said T.J. Kennedy, who served as deputy director of fire and emergency medical services for the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command.

(China Daily, China.org.cn November 8, 2004)