The “Blue Sword Commandos,” one of Beijing’s elite SWAT units, has been entrusted with many of the security responsibilities for the 2008 Summer Olympics.	A police dog equipped with a wireless video surveillance and rescue system in preparation for the Beijing Olympics.	Frogmen scanned the waterway in routine checks before the Olympic test events held at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

BEIJING, already a comparatively secure city, has taken special measures to ensure a safe Olympics. About four years ago, the Beijing Olympic Security Coordination Group was set up to establish a national command system involving the police, army and armed police, as well as security companies and volunteers. Since January 12 this year, security work has shifted from the planning to the implementation stages across the capital. "We have drawn up 546 detailed plans regarding security at Olympic venues, counterterrorism, intelligence, and the guarding of VIPs,"; says Liu Shaowu, director of the BOCOG security department.

Protecting Olympic Venues with Technology

Last August, in routine checks before the Olympic test events held in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, 40 frogmen carrying detectors rapidly scanned the two-square-kilometer waterway. Over 100 sniffer dogs led by security inspectors combed every inch of the park's lawn. In August and September, the venue will host the rowing, canoeing (flatwater), slalom and marathon swimming events, representing 32 and four Olympic and Paralympic competitions, respectively.

The 7.8-kilometer-long Olympic Boulevard linking the park to the Jing-cheng Expressway is monitored by electronic eyes, and traffic police will be on duty at every intersection. Every Olympic site is replete with similar monitoring systems to ensure security both inside and outside the venues.

The Beijing Olympic Security Command Center is employing advanced technologies to carry out anti-riot measures and security checks. Over 7,000 pieces of equipment have been installed in Olympic venues alone. "During the Beijing Olympics, we will use all technical means to carry out all-round security checks on personnel, goods, vehicles and sites,"; says Liu Shaowu. "We hope for a ‘safe Olympics,' but this doesn't mean the Games will proceed under a solemn atmosphere; on the contrary, there will be no obviously heavily guarded scenes, and the tone will be joyous and auspicious. We will make great efforts to effectively hide security as required by the International Olympic Committee.";

Anti-terrorism, Anti-riot and Emergency Response Measures

On New Year's Day this year, policemen with eight sniffer dogs searched for combustible and explosive goods on Beijing's metro as part of an Olympic-related anti-terrorism and anti-riot exercise. "We have given priority to enhancing counterterrorism, anti-riot and emergency response measures since 2004, training anti-terrorism professionals and organizing drills across the city,"; explains Ma Zhenchuan, general commander of the Beijing Olympic Security Command Center.

The Beijing SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Unit, also known as the Beijing Special Police Force, was unveiled three years ago, to deal with incidents beyond the capabilities of normal patrol officers, including hostage situations, bomb attacks and riots. The unit, reputed to be one of the best-equipped and most well-trained in China, has been entrusted with many of the security responsibilities for the 2008 Summer Olympics. "Although there have been no terrorist attacks in Beijing, this elite force is able to handle all kinds of emergencies at any moment,"; says Liu Shaowu.

In addition, 33 experts from 16 major departments have formed a "counterterrorism brains trust,"; to coordinate departments concerned with responding to unexpected events. The security department of BOCOG has also formulated corresponding strategies and measures to handle extreme scenarios and accidents, including serious natural calamities, food safety violations, and major communication breakdowns.

Moreover, the security department has intensified international cooperation, set up an international police affairs liaison department, and invited foreign security experts to Beijing. The department has cooperated not only with the United States' FBI in personnel exchange and training, but has also signed a memorandum of cooperation with Greece to draw on that country's experiences relating to Olympic security. "We have constantly extended safety cooperation and keep improving security levels and technical standards,"; says Liu Shaowu.

A Solid Foundation for Public Security

"Ensuring nationwide security is the responsibility of China's traditional police service, and the country's safety foundation is comparatively sound,"; claims Liu Shaowu. Ma Zhenchuan adds, "Ordinary people will be the powerful backbone of security guarantees during the Beijing Olympics.";

During the Games, the capital will be secured by no less than 80,000 personnel, plus half a million volunteers cooperating with police. Among them, 300,000 volunteers from local communities will take charge of street patrols and the monitoring of illegal activities. In addition, 30,000 security guards will be assisting police, and 100,000 of Beijing's floating population will become volunteers to maintain order. Police will also join hands with neighborhood committees to weed out hidden troubles. "If each local community is secure, then the whole city will be free of hidden dangers,"; says Ma Zhenchuan confidently.