Beijing - China's military is to take part in providing
security for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, adding to the
police forces that are also to protect the international sporting
event.
A special unit with its own command structure has been formed from
the People's Liberation Army, Navy and Air Force and its training has
been completed, the head of the military bureau for Olympic security,
Tian Yixian, told foreign military attaches in Beijing, according to
Chinese media reports Friday.
This special force would respond to non-traditional threats, such
as terrorist or biochemical attacks, Tian said.
The military is also charged with manning the borders to prevent
ethnic Uigur militants, members of the banned Falun Gong meditation
sect and Tibetan separatists from travelling to the Olympics.
'It would also prevent disruptions by organizations wanting to
pressure the Chinese government during the Games,' the official
Xinhua News Agency reported.
The unit would also provide security from the air for sports
stadiums and from the sea for waterside events and would be
responsible for rescue operations.
'It is international practice for military forces to participate
in security for Olympic Games,' Tian said.
He said his military bureau had sent delegations to Australia and
Greece to learn from their experiences in using the military to
provide security at their Olympic Games.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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