In Beijing on Monday experts from seven nations attended a
conference to contribute their ideas on security and
counter-terrorism for the city's 2008 Olympics.
International terrorism, organized transnational crime and
security issues for large-scale sporting events are on the
conference agenda which is cosponsored by the Beijing Olympics
security headquarters and the United Nations Inter-regional Crime
and Justice Research Institute, said Ma Zhenchuan, director of the
Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
Ma said Beijing had been updating police work and methods,
improving equipment and boosting the overall quality of police in
anticipation of the Olympic Games. He said Beijing police would
actively cooperate and communicate with international experts and
establish advanced security mechanisms.
UN Deputy Secretary General David Veness said he appreciated
China's goal of a "safe Olympics." He added, "We've seen tragedies
occur at some sports events in recent years and don't want that to
happen in Beijing."
He hoped that Beijing could draw some valuable lessons from the
conference. "China has already cooperated extensively with our
organization and we've witnessed the huge efforts made by China
over the past few years," said the official.
Beijing police have been testing security systems since 2005 at
many international sports events in the city, said Liu Shaowu,
deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
Liu said Beijing police would continue to work on Olympic security
and particularly risks represented by terrorism and organized
crime.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)