The Shanghai Office of the Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public Security and the Shanghai Public Security Bureau have announced that those who provide information on violent terror attacks, illegal domestic and foreign organizations, cults like Falun Gong, incidents resulting in injuries to Olympic staff and foreigners, and serious public security and criminal incidents, will be eligible for a reward. Awards to those who provide information will range from 10,000 to 500,000 yuan (US$1,464 to 73,216), based on the Olympics Security Information Report Reward standards. Ordinary members of the public who provide the information along with their real name will be eligible.

Shanghai plainclothes police will patrol in the competition stadia, and on around 1,600 buses covering 38 bus routes around the athletes' residences, identifying and investigating suspects during the Olympics.

In a July 23 press conference concerning security and defense work on Olympic Soccer Matches in Shanghai, the Public Security Bureau stated that they have already undertaken significant information gathering and investigation work. This has resulted in a number of threats being prevented, potential terrorists being hit by the police, and some cases being resolved, but the competition stadia, athletes' residences and surrounding streets are still on high security alert.

Olympics security measures in Shanghai are now fully implemented, and all measures, including safeguards against biochemical and nuclear attack, are in place.

As The Olympics approach, the Shanghai Police have intensified safety measures in Shanghai Stadium, the Xujiahui Commercial Area and some other key areas. Police will check the ID card or other identification documents of the public as necessary. Security zones have been designated in airports, train stations, and key traffic areas for checking passengers as well as their luggage.

"However, the threat of terrorism remains - some international terrorist organizations have already threatened to launch attacks against the city," said the Vice Minister of Shanghai Public Security's Press Spokesman Chen Jiulong. He added that competition gymnasia and stadia, athletes' residences, and surrounding streets are considered to be relatively secure.

Security measures set up in four areas

As a secondary host city of these Olympics, Shanghai will present 12 soccer matches - 9 men's and 3 women's matches. The Shanghai Public Security Bureau said that their security forces are concentrated in 4 areas: the main traffic area, the police control area, the restricted security area and the core guard area. Security protection strength is allocated in the four areas on the basis of assessed risk.

At the moment a round-the-clock patrol team composed of public police, armed soldiers and security forces is based in the competition stadium. Police will have a permanent presence in the 66 stands of the stadium to guarantee order during matches by keeping watch for all possible illegal activities.

Zhu Hailin, Vice-Chief Captain of the Army Fire Control Unit of Shanghai's Public Security Bureau, said that comprehensive measures had been implemented against bomb and nuclear attacks in stadia and residences.

The stadium will be safeguarded by three lines of defense including radioactive material detectors and poisonous gas alarms that will be deployed for the first time in major competitions.

Athletes' residences under round-the-clock surveillance

Security will also be tight in officially-designated hotels, and in residences accommodating athletes, matches that in the competition stadia. Cheng Jiulong said that every team will be provided with a security liaison officer who will accompany the team while they are in the city and respond to their safety needs at any time during their training and their matches as well as in transit to and from their accommodation. Security will be on 24-hour standby hotel floors adjacent to those where soccer players are living.

(China.org.cn by Hou Xiaoying July 24, 2008)