国内英语新闻：Senior Chinese official urges convenience for Olympics security

BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official visited security checkpoints in Beijing and neighboring Hebei province on Monday, stressing both "strictness" and "convenience" as the watchwords for security forces.

    "During the Olympics security work, we should not only stick to strictness and details, but also ensure civilized and convenient inspections for people," said Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, to the policemen at the forefront of the checkpoints.

    Informed of the fact that some buses might be repeatedly checked, Zhou urged Beijing's municipal police bureau and Hebei's provincial police department to cooperate more.

Zhou Yongkang (C), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, inspects Liulihe public security inspection post in Fangshan District, Beijing, July 14, 2008. Zhou inspected public security posts around Beijing on Monday.

    "Police should improve their methods and processes to avoid repeated checking and shorten the checking duration, ensuring convenience for people," said Zhou.

    Passengers riding the Beijing metro and major bus routes began to undergo strict security checks at the end of June ahead of the Olympics, according to the Beijing police.

    Meanwhile, the inspection process was going smoothly in the Olympic venues in Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qingdao and Qinhuangdao. Local quality inspection authorities had organized emergency and rescue drills at venues in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province.

    In addition, Zhou urged officials with the police departments to take care of the policemen's daily life and make reasonable working schedules to ensure their hearty spirits.

    "As the security barrier for Beijing, all the neighboring provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions are shouldering tough missions in the Olympic security work," he said.

    With the games just around the corner, land forces of the People's Liberation Army based in Beijing and three neighboring military area commands would help safeguard the Games, according to Tian Yixiang, an official with the Security Command Center for the Games of the 29th Olympiad.

    "We must guarantee Beijing's safety by ensuring the whole country's stability," said Zhou.