Asian Games: Security bolstered for Asian Games

Policemen of public security border defence line up during a gathering to vow for the security mission of 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 4, 2010. Aug. 4 is the 100-day countdown to the Asian Games. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Governor of Guangdong province Huang Huahua demanded no mistakes in security for the Asian Games and the police pledged to make an all-out effort to safeguard the event, as the 100-day countdown began on Wednesday to the opening of the Games on November 12.

Huang required that the security forces fine tune their plans, strengthen preventive measures, increase training and drills, and improve coordination with neighboring provinces to ensure a safe Games.

The Guangzhou police authority has invested 2 billion yuan ($29 million) in security for the Games.

They have also drawn up 1,698 security measures for the event, which exceed the 910 drafted for the Beijing Olympics Games in 2008, as well as 151 guidelines and 36 policies, Guangzhou Daily reported.

The police are increasing security checks at international ports, inter-city roads and links to neighboring provinces.

In addition to employing surveillance cameras, the police are weaving security nets composed of communities, road patrols, enterprises and other organizations.

The Guangzhou police will mobilize 800,000 security guards and volunteers to help patrol the Games. Additional policemen are expected to join them from other forces.

The police will strengthen security already in place at large shopping areas, road-side stores and factories. Control will also be tightened over access to post boxes, telephone booths, manholes and trash cans.

More than 2.6 million surveillance cameras are in place across the city, including more than 12,000 within and around the Games' venues.

All the divisions of the Guangzhou police have been linked on an intranet connection, with the technological facilities upgraded to cover command, emergency management and preventative operations.

The police have improved wireless telecommunications networks and satellite-enabled communications systems.

The Guangzhou police have launched 1,782 online community police officers to increase the efficiency of units at the grassroots.

They have trained security personnel involved in the Games on large event security management, including anti-terrorist and anti-riot measures. Security personnel have also received instruction on the Asian Games, international etiquette and the English language, among others.

The police have forged cooperative links with forces in the neighboring provinces of Hainan, Fujian, Hunan and Jiangxi and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, along with their counterparts in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

Efforts are further being coordinated for the exchange of intelligence at the provincial, State and international levels.

Military personnel have also been placed on standby for any biological, chemical or nuclear incidents.

(Source: China Daily)