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Security tightened in Hong Kong ahead of Beijing Olympics
Security is being tightened in Hong Kong as the Beijing Olympics draw closer, with up to 4,000 police officers deployed in the region.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:49 July 15, 2008
Hong Kong: Security is being tightened in Hong Kong as the Beijing Olympics draw closer, with up to 4,000 police officers deployed in the region.
A senior police official said the overall security threat in the area, which will host the Olympics equestrian events, is moderate.
"I cannot and should never rule out the possibility of changes to the threat assessment; at this stage it's moderate, but whether it will be higher or even lower, it depends on the ongoing process of threat assessment," Suen Kwai-leung, an assistant commissioner of police operations, told reporters.
An immigration official raised fears that Hong Kong's events may be targeted by terrorists, citing specific intelligence.
"We maintain very close liaison and communication with the mainland and also the overseas enforcement agencies, so we can be updated if necessary on the threat assessment," Suen added.
The Olympic equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong from August 9-21.
Various security measures are in place in mainland China, with authorities saying last week they had foiled five "terrorism groups" from the restive far western Xinjiang region who had been planning attacks during the Beijing Olympics.
A 100,000-strong anti-terrorism force is in place, surface-to-air missiles have been deployed around the major venues and subway passengers are being forced to have bags scanned at subway entrances.
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