Delegates at the International Conference on Security Cooperation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics yesterday issued a joint declaration on strengthening cooperation in information sharing, anti-terrorism and emergency handling to ensure its safety.
They agreed to strengthen intelligence gathering and risk evaluation, and to conduct in-depth analysis on the international security situation faced by the Games and the potential security risks posed by visitors from overseas.
Effective liaison channels and coordination mechanisms will be established among the parties to ensure the timely exchange of information, said the declaration, which was made by more than 140 representatives from 32 countries and regions, and officials from Interpol and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
After Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang said on Monday that terrorism is the biggest threat to the Beijing Games, the participants also agreed to improve cooperation on terrorism to combat possible attempts at sabotage.
They will help China take measures to prevent the illegal entry of members of terrorist organizations and weapons, ammunitions, explosives and nuclear, biochemical and radiological substances. China will also receive assistance in personnel checking and evidence gathering.
In addition, all parties at the meeting agreed to share their experiences in preventing and handling emergencies, and exchange substantial regulations and practices such as law enforcement policies, force deployment, rapid response, field control, traffic management, emergency rescue, public relations and aftermath handling.
To prevent possible attacks during the Olympic torch relay, the declaration said law enforcement agencies in host countries and cities should take "every necessary measure" to ensure the smooth progress of the event.
Zhou said on Monday that although the general security situation for the Beijing Olympics is stable, the challenges of terrorism, separatism and extremism are ever present.
Liu Jing, vice-minister of public security, told the meeting that some regional and ethnic conflicts in the world might cast a shadow over the Games, and some international terrorist or extremist groups might make use of the event to launch attacks for their own purposes.
"The Olympic Games is a happy gathering for people from all countries and regions, but it's also a big target for terrorism," he said.
The vice-minister said some organizations and individuals had tried to politicize the Olympics and intervene in China's internal affairs, and others were planning to disrupt the torch relay. Problems with large crowds and football hooligans are also possible, he said.
Both officials stressed the importance of closer international cooperation, as terrorism was a threat to all countries. In response, all the participants agreed a favorable security environment is key for a successful Olympic Games.
Source: China Daily
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