Three identical Chinese characters for "people" (Chinese: ren) have been chosen as the logo for security personnel for next year’s Beijing Olympic Games.

The three characters are drawn together to form the Chinese character "zhong", which means many and depicts the necessity of public participation in security matters during the Games, according to a statement from the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.

The symbol is in the shape of "shield", an internationally recognized image for public security, said the statement.

The symbol would be printed or attached to security facilities, banners and uniforms of security personnel, who would be identifiable by the symbol and their certification cards.

The design of the symbol began at the end of 2006 and has undergone several revisions.

It was unveiled on Thursday by Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Zhou Yongkang, State Councilor.

A total of 80,000 security guards, including police officers, professional security personnel, and government-approved volunteers, will join the security service forces for the 29th Olympic Games.

The authorities will launch educational campaigns in order to offer "cordial, civilized, professional and high-quality" security services for the Games next August.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2007)