Shanghai Customs on Tuesday announced five measures to help
people coming to the city for the 2007 Special Olympics World
Summer Games.
An estimated 40,000 athletes, coaches, referees and visitors
from 160 countries and regions are expected to pass through Customs
between September 26 and 28 for the Games, which will be held from
October 2 to 11.
About 1,200 tons of sports equipment will also pass through
Customs from next week to the middle of next month.
Bian Zuyao, deputy director of Shanghai Customs, said the five
measures are aimed at providing maximum convenience for
visitors.
He said a website will be used giving details about relevant
laws and regulations regarding Customs clearance.
A telephone hotline (+86-21-6889-1111) will also be set up. And
online payments will be encouraged to speed up various
processes.
Bian said Customs will also open special counters at its land,
ocean and air entries to give priority to equipment brought in for
the Games.
Special priority lanes will also be set up for visitors and
volunteers will be on hand to help out.
Foreign government and Special Olympics officials will be exempt
from Customs declaration.
Shanghai Customs has already granted the 2007 Special Olympics
World Summer Games organizing committee special status to register
as an institution with importing rights.
A rapid reaction mechanism will be in place to ensure smooth
operation of the Games, Bian said.
He said Customs will also step up its vigilance and examination
of dangerous goods such as weapons, explosives, and biological or
chemical devices to guard against terrorists.
Unlike other sports meetings, the Special Olympics, first
launched by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of former US President
John F. Kennedy, in the 1960s for people with intellectual
disabilities, is more akin to a carnival.
It has many non-sporting events such as a research symposium, a
global youth summit, and a family forum, according to Su Binggong,
deputy director of the executive committee of the Special
Olympics.
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(China Daily July 18, 2007)