The government aims to avoid trouble after the Olympic torch arrives in Hong Kong on April 30.
A rehearsal of the torch-relay run through the city went smoothly on Friday with little disruption to traffic and few complaints from the public, although retailers said business dropped, in some places quite dramatically.
But they were happy about the rehearsal and the torch relay because the Olympic Games were good for China.
Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai said yesterday on a radio programme that authorities would not lower their guard, given that the May 2 relay would see many more people on the streets to view the torch's progress, as well as local and overseas protesters.
Mrs Yau confirmed that officials had received applications from eight schools and some social groups to organise cheering squads along the relay route, and authorities were considering what sites should be earmarked for the purpose.
She said police were trying to contact groups that intended to come to Hong Kong to protest, to remind them to abide by the law and demonstrate peacefully.
