Posted at 2:56 a.m., Saturday, July 14, 2007
Olympics: China stages terrorist drill
Associated Press
BEIJING — Hundreds of police officers staged a mock terrorist attack on the Beijing Olympics' sailing venue, "hijacking" an oil tanker and trying to break into the facility, state media reported today.The exercise yesterday, involving more than 800 police officers and 27 vessels, was part of the Chinese government's security preparations for next year's Olympics.
The preparations also have included drills testing police readiness in handling radioactive "dirty bomb" attacks and hostage situations.
China's military has set up a special unit trained to counter threats such as biochemical or nuclear terror attacks, state media have reported.
The drill in the eastern Chinese seaside city of Qingdao was held in the Olympic sailing venue area, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
"Terrorists" on a motorboat, armed with guns and bombs, simulated taking over an oil tanker and seizing two hostages. Marine police were dispatched to capture the fake terrorists," the report said.
