Organizers of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games say China will spend considerably less on Olympic security than recent host countries, but they are confident the safety of the 2008 Games could be ensured at a low cost.
Liu Shaowu, head of security for Beijing 2008 said, “I can only say that the money we will spend will be much lower than the amount spent at equivalent events in the past. We will stick strictly to the policy of being frugal in holding the Olympic Games and we are confident the safety of the Games will be ensured at a low cost”, reports Reuters.
Although there are reports that in 2005 $300 million had been budgeted for security, a spokesman for Security Command Centre for the Olympics said Tuesday a specific figure had never been disclosed by the police.
About 20 government agencies, from the two-million strong People’s Liberation Army to the fire service, will be involved in the security operation, supported by volunteers recruited from military and police academies, said Liu.
In January Beijing police opened a new department to liaise with foreign agencies to help prevent terrorist attacks. Liu said, “in the future we will hold regular exchanges with foreign police forces and the International Olympic Committee to get more support for our security”.
Liu said the priority is to guarantee a safe Olympics, but in a low-key way that avoided detracting from the Games atmosphere. He said, “our security committee has two objects – one is to guarantee Olympic security and the other is to contribute to an auspicious atmosphere for the Games”.
He added that security personnel would be mostly in plain clothes, melting into the crowds at venues. “It will be a difficult job for spectators at any Olympic venue to spot security forces carrying weapons”.
Also, four patrol helicopters will be put into service “very soon” as part of the Olympic security operation.
A multi-functional communications vehicle will be used for Games security. The vehicle will combine the functions of radio and wire communications, as well as microwave image and satellite image transmission and will be capable of rushing to any emergency site to provide all-round command and deployment assistance, said Liu.
Beijing Olympic organizers plan to put the security operation to the test during the second half of 2007 when 26 international sporting events will be hosted at Olympic venues.
