BEIJING: In an effort to prevent any case of hijacking, explosion, robbery or stadium riots during the prestigious Asian games here in September the Beijing public security bureau is launching a crackdown on “criminal groups,” the city government announced on Feb 20th.

Professional training for Asiad security men is underway, advanced equipment will be installed and a strict security apparatus will be functioning during the Sept. 22-Oct 7 games, the official media reported quoting Beijing authorities.

It was not stated where from the threat was seen, but since the Asian games are expected to be a major spectacle, disgruntled students could use the occasion to draw attention to their continued displeasure with the government which crushed the pro-democracy movement last June,

Official China daily Tuesday identified five goals of the security exercise: no crime, participant’s safety, no disorder especially fires in gymnasiums, sports fields, shops, cinemas, dance halls, airport and railway station and No stoppage of water and power supply.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 2, 1990