2000 recruits will be drafted to reinforce Beijing's police forces this year, in time for the 2008 Olympics.
Qiang Wei, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), said:
"Beijing suffers a serious deficiency in police backup. The additional recruitment has got official ratification and will help ensure security during the Olympics."
Qiang noted that a special team in charge of security for Olympics has already started operating, with 68 Chinese experts offering consultantancy services.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Snouts In The Trough
Anxious to ensure that as many people as possible make as much money as possible out of the 2012 London Olympics, the IPA and the Advertising Association said that they welcomed changes to the London Olympics and Paralympics Bill proposed by the House of Lords earlier this week.
However, they want further amendments to be made.
Quote:
"The amendments to the Bill are limited and the Act will still mean that only official sponsors will be able to associate themselves with the London 2012 Games.
Any form of association with the Games by unofficial sponsors will be an infringement of the new association right."
The IPA is lobbying for changes to the bill, to ensure that there is "genuine freedom of commercial expression, especially that of local businesses."
The list of protected words includes "Games", which advertisers are asked to avoid using.
The Lords have stated that there will be no automatic presumption that the law has been broken, if adverts carry these words, and that it will be left to the courts to decide whether there has been an infringement.
However, they want further amendments to be made.
Quote:
"The amendments to the Bill are limited and the Act will still mean that only official sponsors will be able to associate themselves with the London 2012 Games.
Any form of association with the Games by unofficial sponsors will be an infringement of the new association right."
The IPA is lobbying for changes to the bill, to ensure that there is "genuine freedom of commercial expression, especially that of local businesses."
The list of protected words includes "Games", which advertisers are asked to avoid using.
The Lords have stated that there will be no automatic presumption that the law has been broken, if adverts carry these words, and that it will be left to the courts to decide whether there has been an infringement.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Environmental Damage of London Olympics
The London Olympics due to be held in 2012, in the Lea Valley area of London, are already proving to be controversial.
Annie Chipchase, an Environmental consultant, is quoted as saying:
"The Olympic proposals will destroy all the existing habitat, and thus the associated wildlife. Proposals to provide mitigation in terms of translocating species, and providing alternative habitat, are unlikely to be successful. Only legally-protected species will be the focus of such work.
The waterways of the Lower Lea provide a unique place for wildlife and people in a dense urban area. Destruction of these habitats for an elite sporting event should not be contemplated".
Needless top say, the concerns of the environmental lobby will be ignored by those hoping to make money out of the Olympics.
Annie Chipchase, an Environmental consultant, is quoted as saying:
"The Olympic proposals will destroy all the existing habitat, and thus the associated wildlife. Proposals to provide mitigation in terms of translocating species, and providing alternative habitat, are unlikely to be successful. Only legally-protected species will be the focus of such work.
The waterways of the Lower Lea provide a unique place for wildlife and people in a dense urban area. Destruction of these habitats for an elite sporting event should not be contemplated".
Needless top say, the concerns of the environmental lobby will be ignored by those hoping to make money out of the Olympics.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
The Olympic Gold Mine
Never delude yourselves that the Olympics are about sport, money is the key motivator for the event.
The 2012 Olympic Games in London are no different. In a report issued by Lloyds TSB, it is predicted that the London 2012 Olympics could boost the UK economy by up to £10BN.
David Morton, of Lloyds TSB Business, is quoted as saying:
"The 2012 Olympics presents a massive opportunity for thousands of businesses to raise their profile and reach new markets.
Work is already under way to improve transport systems and develop the area's tourism but, as the Games draw closer, more opportunities will emerge."
Governments hosting the Games delude themselves each time that they will profit from the event, but rarely do so, just ask the good people of Athens if they feel financially better off after their 2004 Games.
The 2012 Olympic Games in London are no different. In a report issued by Lloyds TSB, it is predicted that the London 2012 Olympics could boost the UK economy by up to £10BN.
David Morton, of Lloyds TSB Business, is quoted as saying:
"The 2012 Olympics presents a massive opportunity for thousands of businesses to raise their profile and reach new markets.
Work is already under way to improve transport systems and develop the area's tourism but, as the Games draw closer, more opportunities will emerge."
Governments hosting the Games delude themselves each time that they will profit from the event, but rarely do so, just ask the good people of Athens if they feel financially better off after their 2004 Games.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Beijing To Break Even
It is expected that the Olympic Games being held in Beijing in 2008 will break even. That is at least the view according to the Chinese Olympic Committee vice president, Tu Mingde.
He is quoted as saying:
"My sense is that the Games will break even, but we're unlikely to make a lot of money. It's like having people over to dinner. The food may be not so expensive, but you need to select the right furniture, carpets, and so on."
Zhang Guiyi, a member of the legislature the National People's Congress, is also quoted as saying:
"We cannot afford an extravagant event."
There are other priorities, Beijing will spend an extra US$5.2BN on schools, hospitals, crop subsidies and other programs to help the poor living in the countryside.
$2.4BN will be spent on the construction of Olympic venues and $35BN on urban renewal. Projects include; new power, water and sewage treatment plants and the world's largest airport terminal.
Tu said:
"People have the impression that the government will provide all the money, and that's just not true."
The Chinese have a difficult balancing act; on the one hand they wish to show a proud face to the world when they host the Games, on the other they need to ensure that the issues relating to their domestic economic situation are addressed.
He is quoted as saying:
"My sense is that the Games will break even, but we're unlikely to make a lot of money. It's like having people over to dinner. The food may be not so expensive, but you need to select the right furniture, carpets, and so on."
Zhang Guiyi, a member of the legislature the National People's Congress, is also quoted as saying:
"We cannot afford an extravagant event."
There are other priorities, Beijing will spend an extra US$5.2BN on schools, hospitals, crop subsidies and other programs to help the poor living in the countryside.
$2.4BN will be spent on the construction of Olympic venues and $35BN on urban renewal. Projects include; new power, water and sewage treatment plants and the world's largest airport terminal.
Tu said:
"People have the impression that the government will provide all the money, and that's just not true."
The Chinese have a difficult balancing act; on the one hand they wish to show a proud face to the world when they host the Games, on the other they need to ensure that the issues relating to their domestic economic situation are addressed.
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