Border security at HK, Macau to be tightened for Asian Games
Guangdong police say they will tighten security checks at cross-border stations including those at Hong Kong and Macau before the 16th Asian Games in November.
He Guangping , deputy chief of the Guangdong Public Security Department, declined to reveal details but told a news conference at the annual meeting of the Provincial People's Congress it was 'international practice' before any major event to prepare measures against possible terrorism.
He said the measures would be put into effect before the Games and would last until after the 10th Asian Para Games, to be hosted in Guangzhou from December 12 to 19.
The deputy chief said many visitors, athletes and journalists would enter the province via Hong Kong and Macau during the period, and the authorities would do their best not to inconvenience travellers unduly.
He said the security plan would create 'a circle of defence around Guangzhou and Guangdong'.
He said police would tighten security not only at sports venues and the Asian Games Village but also at all connecting transport points with neighbouring provinces.
Ensuring security at the Games is one of Guangdong's top priorities this year. Governor Huang Huahua , provincial High Court president Zheng E and chief procurator Zheng Hong listed it as a major task in their work reports during the congress.
Guangzhou party secretary Zhu Xiaodan yesterday said authorities were working closely with Hong Kong police to draft the plan.
'We frequently exchange intelligence on terrorists,' the police deputy chief said.
He said his department would not give terrorists the chance to affect the Games.
To prevent social unrest, the province has made concessions on some sensitive social issues.
Local journalists have speculated that a project to build an incinerator in Guangzhou's Panyu district has been put on hold by the provincial government to pacify thousands of residents who were angry the plant was being built near their homes. The project will be revisited early next year after the Games.
