China is planning to deploy more than 94,000 security personnel at the Beijing celebration in August, which means that uniformed and plain-clothes operatives will outnumber the 10,500 athletes by nearly nine to one, The Independent, London reported.
The paper quoting the People's Armed Police News reported that the PAP force was told to prevent any security threats that could upset the Games. The paper issued a "political mobilisation order" to PAP troops telling them to prepare for an arduous time ensuring order and control before and during the Games.
About 20 government agencies -- from the world's largest standing army, the two-million strong People's Liberation Army, to the fire service -- will be involved in the security operation for the Olympics, supported by thousands of volunteers recruited from military and police academies, the paper said.
The organisers in Beijing insist they have spent less on security than the Athens Games in 2004. Even then, security personnel in Greece numbered between 50,000 and 70,000 operatives, far fewer than will be ready for action in Beijing.
Asked on US television on Friday whether he wanted the world to boycott the Beijing Games, the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said no before sending the message to China: "We are not against you -- and I'm not seeking separation."
