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)