Safety issues in Beijing

With the tragic homicide and suicide here in Beijing on Saturday morning, people are wondering if it's safe to be spending time at Beijing's tourist locations.  Well, of course it is.

Beijing may actually be the safest city of its size in the world.  Public safety has never really been an issue of major concern in the Chinese capital.  And especially during the Olympics, the Chinese authorities have deployed literally hundreds of thousands of police and military forces to Beijing.

Obviously, some petty theft occurs in Beijing, but violent crime is really quite rare in Beijing. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the American family who lost their father this weekend in the brutal attack in central Beijing.

concerns over security, rights, privacy, etc. during Olympics

Many foreigners are becoming quite concerned about the major security programs being implemented in Beijing and around China for the Olympics. I don't anticipate any major problems . . . it won't be worse than security at Salt Lake City, Athens, or Torino! Right?

Security issues at the Games in Beijing

There has been a lot of discussion about the security and safety regulations implemented and enforced by Chinese law enforcement and military during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.  They have a very ambitious security plan -- something that causes great concern for millions around the world.  Many ask if the Games will be "fun" with so many security precautions and regulations.

From the China Daily:

Safety departments at various work units and even drivers of subway trains, buses and taxis will be involved, said Qiang Wei, Beijing's deputy Party secretary.

He said Beijing would also work with the security organs of other countries - such as the United State, Germany, Britain, France and Russia - to enhance its defence against riots or terrorist attacks.

Qiang, also head of the co-ordination team organizing Olympic security that was established last December, made the remarks at a rally yesterday, which marked the implementation of the city's Olympic security masterplan.

But he did not reveal the budget for running the security scheme, which contains all-round protection in the air, on land and at sea for the Games.

Athens, which hosted the Olympic Games last year, spent more than 1 billion euros (US$1.3 billion) on security.

China's security programme could include security features similar to those used in Athens, which had a vast computer surveillance network with thousands of hidden cameras and microphones that analyzed dozens of languages.

"We should learn from Athens, which had an advanced security management system and high-tech equipment in order to ensure a safe environment for the Games," said Qiang.

The city has already dispatched five groups, involving a total of 39 people, to Athens to learn about its experiences.

"We do not want to turn Beijing into a fortress, but a place with an auspicious and peaceful atmosphere that will make athletes, coaches and visitors feel relaxed and safe," Qiang said.

Ma Zhenchuan, director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, said apart from safety protection, providing a good service to participants was another priority task.

Ma said his bureau would carry out a seven-year language training programme, which started in 2001 when Beijing was picked to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

He said Beijing police will encounter thousands of people who do not speak any Chinese during the 2008 Olympics.

"We have published a textbook of 'Olympic Security English' which mainly focuses on the handling of every possible problem that may happen during our security work for the Games," said Ma, who is a deputy head of the co-ordination team organizing Olympic security.

Ma said his team would set up two branches - the Olympic security command centre and the intelligence centre - by June this year.