Officials Conducting Anti-Hijacking Drills

Without giving specific details, China's vice minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation warned the state newspaper of hijack threats aimed at next year's summer Olympics in Beijing.

"Our efforts to prevent hijacking, as part of the security for the Olympics, face a severe test," said vice Minister Wang Changshun, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The caution was given the same day more than 600 civil aviation, public security and firefighting officers participated in an anti-hijacking drill in the port city of Dalian in Liaoning province in northeastern China.

The drill scenarios included a rescue operation during a hijacking situation in which passengers were held hostage and a firefighting scene where an aircraft burst into flames upon landing. The drills were monitored by Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan, according to Xinhua News.

"At present, China's anti-hijacking work is facing a series of new challenges," said Zhang Xinfeng, vice minister of public security.

"Some international terrorist organizations are increasing their infiltration into China and civil aviation planes could be the target of a terrorist attack."

The Beijing airport is opening a new terminal in anticipation of the surge in air traffic when athletes, spectators, journalists and such begin arriving for the Games. Air traffic is expected to increase by 50 percent.

According to the Associated Press, PEK has also issued an order for domestic carriers to reduce their numbers of flights to the capital during that time.

FMI: www.gov.cn/english/2005-10/22/content_81677.htm, http://en.bcia.com.cn/