In Beijing on Monday experts from seven nations attended a conference to contribute their ideas on security and counter-terrorism for the city's 2008 Olympics.

International terrorism, organized transnational crime and security issues for large-scale sporting events are on the conference agenda which is cosponsored by the Beijing Olympics security headquarters and the United Nations Inter-regional Crime and Justice Research Institute, said Ma Zhenchuan, director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Ma said Beijing had been updating police work and methods, improving equipment and boosting the overall quality of police in anticipation of the Olympic Games. He said Beijing police would actively cooperate and communicate with international experts and establish advanced security mechanisms.

UN Deputy Secretary General David Veness said he appreciated China's goal of a "safe Olympics." He added, "We've seen tragedies occur at some sports events in recent years and don't want that to happen in Beijing."

He hoped that Beijing could draw some valuable lessons from the conference. "China has already cooperated extensively with our organization and we've witnessed the huge efforts made by China over the past few years," said the official.

Beijing police have been testing security systems since 2005 at many international sports events in the city, said Liu Shaowu, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau. Liu said Beijing police would continue to work on Olympic security and particularly risks represented by terrorism and organized crime.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2006)