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Terrorism is the biggest threat facing the Beijing Olympic Games, said Jianzhu Meng, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security. Senior Chinese and Olympic Committee officials at the opening of the security conference.

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Distinguished INTERPOL Secretary General Mr Noble,
Distinguished Shanghai Cooperation Organization Secretary General Mr Boat Nurgaliyev,
Distinguished Vice Chair of Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee Mr MA Zhenchuan,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is of great significance that delegates of law enforcement agencies from all over the world, Olympic Committees of countries and regions, concerned international organizations, as well as major sponsors and broadcasting companies are gathering here in Beijing to discuss and study in-depth the Olympics security arrangements in the spirit of friendship, unity and cooperation.

Taking the opportunity of opening this Conference, and on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, I would like to commend the convening of the 2008 International Conference on Security for Beijing Olympic Games, and to sincerely welcome all colleagues and friends from afar on the occasion that all aspects of preparation for Beijing Olympics have entered into a critical stage like a decisive battle.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The International Olympics hold the principle of peace, friendship and advancement, while advocating the spirit of higher, faster and stronger, thus playing a very important and unique role in maintaining world peace, enhancing friendship between peoples and promoting exchange and development of sports and cultures at the international level.

It has been a dream of hundreds of years for the Chinese people to host the Olympics, and to maintain its unique characteristics and high standards in the 2008 Olympics is the solemn promise made by the Chinese government and people. The security is of the most importance in relation to the full success of the Olympics.

The Chinese government and law enforcement agencies have been always taken the security issue as the most important part in the preparation for the Olympic Games. Many measures have been taken in terms of planning and deployment of forces, intelligence collection, risk assessment, countering terrorism and preventing riots, safety control and capacity building, etc.

With the development of all aspects of security preparation, as well as close cooperation and joint efforts by all parties concerned, we are now consistently embracing suggestions from all parties and refining pre-emptive measures in response to various types of security threats. Chinese government and law enforcement agencies are determined and capable of realizing the goal of a safe and secure Olympics, which in turn will bring another glory to the international Olympic sports.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The general security situation that the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are facing is stable, but we still need to answer the threats both from the traditional security fields and the non-traditional ones, at the same time we need to meet the challenges from the terrorist groups, separatist groups and extremist groups.

To meet the objective of a secure Olympics, we need all-out participation from and close cooperation with all the countries. The Chinese law enforcement agencies have been actively cooperating with concerned partners, through which good relationships have been established with the national law enforcement agencies and international organizations involved. It is a tangible approach and an important trial for the Ministry of Public Security of China, Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee, law enforcement agencies across the world, Olympic Committees of countries and regions and concerned international organizations to enhance coordination and cooperation. It is of great significance for law enforcement agencies in China and other countries to increase mutual trust, exchange experience, share resources and expand cooperation, as well as to enhance the level of 2008 Beijing Olympics security. You will be updated at the Conference of the detailed information on the preparation for the Olympics security, and we are happy to have your opinions and suggestions. Having said that, I would like to propose all parties present here work in particular on the following aspects:

Firstly, we should strengthen information and intelligence exchange, and consistently upgrade the pre-alert system. Intelligence is the prioritized aspect for these Olympic Games. I do hope that all parties concerned will study in depth the international security situation that the Beijing Olympics are facing and potential security risks that each and every country’s delegation will encounter, with an aim to establishing an efficient and effective pre-alert system and intelligence exchange system, and to eliminate various negative factors that might affect the Beijing Olympic Games.

Secondly, we should enhance international cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts in order to prevent and suppress terrorist activities. There is no doubt that the biggest threat facing the Beijing Olympics is terrorism. I hope that all parties will adopt practical and effective measures, strengthen border controls and exchange in a timely manner up to date information on new activities of terrorist groups, and to jointly prevent and suppress international terrorist activities targeting the Beijing Olympic Games.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are eye-catching, the common objectives have brought us together, and the shared responsibilities need our close cooperation. Let us grasp this opportunity to meet the challenges and to contribute to the success of secure and harmonious Olympics.

In closing, I cordially wish this conference a great success and all of you a happy stay in Beijing.

Thank you.