Will Beijing residents enjoy a holiday during the 2008 Olympic
Games? Will foreign athletes benefit from streamlined customs
clearance? What will happen to the city's migrant population during
the Games?
A special team in charge of framing Olympic legislation is
facing at least 65 such questions.
Security issues, such as checks at Olympic venues, information
sharing systems and food safety are top of the list, said Zhou
Jidong, a member of the task force which was set up early this
year.
"We are now discussing these questions and will work out
solutions as soon as possible," Zhou told reporters at a press
conference yesterday but did not give a timetable.
Zhou, also director of the Beijing Municipal Legislative Affairs
Office, rebutted reports claiming the city plans to expel about 1
million migrant workers during the 2008 Games.
"These reports are groundless and irresponsible," Zhou said.
"There are no plans for making any legislation or to force migrant
workers out of Beijing during the Games."
Zhou also denied rumors that the city would restrict car use to
alternate days depending on whether a vehicle license plate ends
with an odd or even number.
"Actually, all these questions have just been collected and we
are still discussing how to handle them properly. No decisions have
been made yet," Zhou iterated.
He said any legal proposal for the 2008 Games cannot clash with
China's existing legal system and must go through the full
legislative process before being enacted.
Zhou said a large number of the issues would be addressed
through the city's overall legislation process.
"New problems will surface as the Games draw near," Zhou said.
"We welcome suggestions and opinions from the public on Olympic
legislation. People who are interested can visit the website of the
municipal government at www.beijing.gov.cn and leave messages for
us."
(China Daily September 28, 2006)