ID :
11956
Thu, 07/10/2008 - 09:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/11956
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Umbrellas, soft drinks classed as 'security risk' at Olympic venues
BEIJING, July 10 Kyodo - State-run media on Wednesday reminded spectators not to bring banned items to Olympic sports venues -- including long umbrellas, cigarette lighters and soft drinks -- as part of the massive security operation and publicity campaign inthe lead up to the Beijing Games.
The official Xinhua News Agency said security staff are under orders toconfiscate any banned items and will not return them to spectators.
''As long as there is a security risk, security personnel get to remove it,''Xinhua said.
Chinese security officials have claimed the Games are a potential terrorist target for Muslim separatists from Xinjiang in northwestern China, or frominternational terror groups.
Xinjiang police said Wednesday they had shot dead five members of an alleged Muslim terrorist gang earlier in the week after surrounding a house in the cityof Urumqi.
Exiles from Xinjiang say the terror threat has been exaggerated by authorities and used as a pretext to tighten security in the predominantly Muslim region, which is populated by ethnic Uyghurs who have their own language andculture.
State media also reported Wednesday that hundreds of road blocks will be set uparound Beijing from next week to check traffic coming into the city.
Sniffer dogs looking for explosives and staff using metal detectors and othersecurity scanners will be deployed at some of the checkpoints, Xinhua reported.
State TV has also been carrying regular reports on counterterrorism training ahead of the Games in August, which included a simulated chemical weaponsattack staged in a Beijing park last month.
Bag checks are now being carried out at all of Beijing's subway stations, and spectators and officials will have to pass through airport-style securitychecks to get into Olympic sports venues.
There is also a higher security presence on the streets with more regular IDand passport checks.
Tour groups and travelers have also been banned from visiting Peking Universityduring the Games because of ''security concerns,'' Xinhua reported Wednesday.
Visa regulations have also been more tightly enforced in recent months, with many foreigners engaged in casual work such as teaching English forced toleave.
Nearly 100,000 commandos, police and members of the military are on standby tohandle potential terrorist attacks.
About 150,000 security personnel and more than 290,000 volunteers will also patrol Beijing streets during the Olympics to ensure order, state media havereported.
People living in Beijing say they are proud China is hosting the Games, but many feel the high security has dampened enthusiasm ahead of the Olympics andleft a subdued atmosphere in the city.
''We're looking forward to the sport starting, but some of my friends will be quite relieved when it is all over,'' said one businesswoman, who asked not to be named.==Kyodo
The official Xinhua News Agency said security staff are under orders toconfiscate any banned items and will not return them to spectators.
''As long as there is a security risk, security personnel get to remove it,''Xinhua said.
Chinese security officials have claimed the Games are a potential terrorist target for Muslim separatists from Xinjiang in northwestern China, or frominternational terror groups.
Xinjiang police said Wednesday they had shot dead five members of an alleged Muslim terrorist gang earlier in the week after surrounding a house in the cityof Urumqi.
Exiles from Xinjiang say the terror threat has been exaggerated by authorities and used as a pretext to tighten security in the predominantly Muslim region, which is populated by ethnic Uyghurs who have their own language andculture.
State media also reported Wednesday that hundreds of road blocks will be set uparound Beijing from next week to check traffic coming into the city.
Sniffer dogs looking for explosives and staff using metal detectors and othersecurity scanners will be deployed at some of the checkpoints, Xinhua reported.
State TV has also been carrying regular reports on counterterrorism training ahead of the Games in August, which included a simulated chemical weaponsattack staged in a Beijing park last month.
Bag checks are now being carried out at all of Beijing's subway stations, and spectators and officials will have to pass through airport-style securitychecks to get into Olympic sports venues.
There is also a higher security presence on the streets with more regular IDand passport checks.
Tour groups and travelers have also been banned from visiting Peking Universityduring the Games because of ''security concerns,'' Xinhua reported Wednesday.
Visa regulations have also been more tightly enforced in recent months, with many foreigners engaged in casual work such as teaching English forced toleave.
Nearly 100,000 commandos, police and members of the military are on standby tohandle potential terrorist attacks.
About 150,000 security personnel and more than 290,000 volunteers will also patrol Beijing streets during the Olympics to ensure order, state media havereported.
People living in Beijing say they are proud China is hosting the Games, but many feel the high security has dampened enthusiasm ahead of the Olympics andleft a subdued atmosphere in the city.
''We're looking forward to the sport starting, but some of my friends will be quite relieved when it is all over,'' said one businesswoman, who asked not to be named.==Kyodo
