Security services in east China's Shandong Province have held an anti-terrorist drill ahead of the Beijing Olympics that included simulated hijacking and bomb attacks.
The drill dubbed "Mountain Tai 2008" on Monday simulated an attempt by six terrorists attacking Shandong Stadium in Jinan, the provincial capital, according to the China Police Daily.
The mock terrorists hijacked more than 10 audience members ahead of a badminton match and officials set up a local headquarters to dispatch emergency forces and anti-terrorist experts, the newspaper said.
The drill involved more than 1,500 staff, 600 weapons and the evacuation of more than 500 audience members from the stadium.
Four "terrorists" were shot to death and another two captured by the police. A "car bomb" was also defused.
A total of three "injured hostages" were in stable condition after receiving first aid.
The first of its kind in Shandong to mobilize forces from the public security, armed police, health and city administration, the exercise was designed to test the provincial emergency response capacity and smooth the coordination among the forces, the newspaper said.
Jinan is about four hours' drive from Beijing and the coastal Qingdao City is set to host the Olympic sailing events.
China has put the emphasis on security in the run-up to the Games. An anti-terrorist force of nearly 100,000 commandos, police and army troops is on high alert for handling attempted terrorist attacks before and during the Games.
Security forces in host cities Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao and Hong Kong have been on duty for land and air protection of all arenas and the maritime safety of coastal venues.
(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2008)