Saturday, May 10, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 3, 1429    

Beijing tighten security as Games approach

Beijing—Beijing is implementing a range of new security measures, state media said Friday, as the Chinese capital cranks up efforts to prevent any disruptions affecting the August Olympics.
The reports came a day after a top Olympic security official said the military would be involved in anti-terror efforts, and government confirmation earlier this week that China had introduce more stringent visa requirements.
Police have begun random night checks of motorists’ documents and have been searching subway and bus passengers for flammable liquids, reports in the Beijing Youth Daily and Beijing News said.
They did not specifically link the measures to the August 8-24 Olympics. Earlier this week, three people died when a bus in Shanghai burst into flames. Police have blamed the incident on flammable liquids being brought aboard the vehicle, but have given no other details.
Critics of China have accused it of playing up the terror threat to provide an excuse to crack down on dissent, but the US, Britain and Interpol have all issued travel warnings, saying the Games are a potential target for attack.—AFP