Official Pledges to Punish Demonstrators
By Maureen Fan
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, November 17, 2007
BEIJING, Nov. 16 -- A top Chinese security official vowed Friday to punish anyone who takes part in a political, religious or ethnic demonstration or protest "in any form" at an Olympic site during the 2008 Beijing Games.
"We shall punish all activities in any form that violate the [Olympic] charter in accordance with law, to make sure we have a harmonious Olympics. This is our commitment," said the deputy head of security for the Games, Liu Shaowu, unveiling security measures at a new indoor stadium.
But as Liu threatened action, another senior Olympics official said in a government media report that one of China's biggest challenges was the "boycott noise," and he seemed to urge a less confrontational stance. Human rights groups and politicians have urged a boycott of the Games because of China's arms sales to Sudan and because of continued repression against activists here.
"Our principal goal is to not greet the controversy and argument face-to-face, so as not to stir up and worsen conflicts," said Yu Zaiqing, vice chairman of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, in an interview with China Business News.
The two officials' statements highlight the difficult balancing act facing the Chinese government, which is eager to come across as tolerant and open yet loath to encourage dissent.
Chinese citizens have a right to "assemble, demonstrate and protest" elsewhere in Beijing if they first register with authorities and obtain permits, Liu said.
"But for those who during the Olympics look down upon China's sovereignty, advocate ethnic separatism, agitate terrorist activities and so on, we will punish them in accordance with the law," he said, in a reference to activists who promote, for example, a free Tibet.
"We will not tolerate activities in Beijing during the Olympics that target other countries or endanger sovereignty."
Chinese officials have studied security plans from previous Olympics and are working with the international police organization Interpol and other agencies to thwart terrorist attacks.
They have also hired various international security experts as consultants, but Liu declined to provide details. Instead he emphasized that China had saved money by avoiding the sort of overlaps that occurred during previous Games, "such as overdependence on foreign contractors."
A People's Liberation Army security unit has been set up especially for the Games, and its army, navy and air force personnel will deal with nontraditional threats such as biochemical and nuclear terrorist attacks, the New China News Agency reported earlier this year.
Officials have previously said that about 80,000 security personnel will help maintain order at the Olympics, although they were reluctant to provide detailed figures Friday. But for a low-profile event in a small venue, such as the roughly 5,000-seat stadium where the judo and tae kwon do competition will be held, about 100 police officers and security volunteers inside will be sufficient, with more help close by, said Cao Dongxiang, deputy director of venue security for the Olympics.
Asked how many police would be in uniform, Liu said, "As for plainclothes police officers, we share a different concept with you, perhaps. When security personnel are on duty, they wear plain clothes in order to help to build a happy and harmonious atmosphere that matches the Games."
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