BEIJING will set up specially designated zones for protesters during next month's Olympics, a security official confirmed yesterday, signalling that China's authoritarian government may allow some demonstrations during the Games.
Fears of terrorist attacks – from international groups and Muslim separatists from western China – and worries about protests of any kind have prompted one of China's broadest security clampdowns in years. The overall effect is that while Beijing lo
oks cheerful, with colourful Olympic banners and new signs, the city feels tense.
Vehicle checkpoints ring Beijing. Visa rules have been tightened to keep out foreign activists. Police have swept Beijing neighbourhoods to remove known political critics, people who have come to the capital to complain about local government corruption, and underground Christians.
But Liu Shaowu, director for security for the Beijing Olympics, said yesterday that areas in at least three public parks, away from sporting venues, have been set aside for use by demonstrators.
Mr Liu said police were trying to strike a balance between the need for safety and the desire for celebrations.
"We truly do want to preserve the festive and joyful atmosphere of the Olympic venues," Mr Liu told a news conference.
"At the same time, we want to reduce the impact security has on daily life."
In approving the protest zones, Mr Liu said officials noted that Athens set up such areas for the 2004 Games, as did Salt Lake City, host to the Winter Games of 2002.
"We have already designated specific areas where people or protesters who want to express their personal opinions can go to do so," he said.
However, China's leadership remains wary about demonstrations in the capital or large-scale protests anywhere, fearing they could snowball into anti-government movements.
The full article contains 293 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
