U.S.-China Issues

12 June 2008

China, United States Cooperate on Olympics Security

U.S. agencies have history of sharing events-planning experience

By Michael Buchanan
Staff Writer

Washington -- Twenty-eight sports, 11,000 athletes and millions of spectators figure to provide a considerable security challenge for Olympics advisers in Beijing this summer.  As China prepares for the games, though, it has sought the expertise and resources of several U.S. agencies.

As the responsible authority for Olympics security, China has set up the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG), which will coordinate all of the host nation’s preparations, including security.  Thirty departments, including China’s ministries of Public Security, Foreign Affairs, State Security and National Defense, along with offices like the Traffic Agency, are included in the committee.

At the same time, numerous U.S. federal agencies are partnering with Chinese officials before the games.  Law enforcement and foreign affairs organizations, including the State Department and the Energy Department, are discussing security cooperation during the games with Chinese leaders.  “The U.S. government will continue to seek cooperation with the Chinese up to and during the Beijing Olympics, including the Paralympic Games,” said Patrick Donovan, acting director of the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service.

The Energy Department's National Nuclear Security Administration is one such organization. It has extensive experience with radiological threats and events planning, having worked closely with officials at the National Football League's annual Super Bowl, the Pan Am Games and the 2004 Athens Olympics.  The agency’s history of cooperation will continue in Beijing, as radiological detection equipment and training have already been provided to Chinese customs and other agents.

Similar knowledge sharing is occurring between other U.S. agencies and their Chinese counterparts, drawing on a history of major event security from past Olympics in the United States, most recently in the Salt Lake City Winter Games of 2002, and abroad, as with the Athens games.

According to a report from the Government Accountability Office after the Athens games, approximately 20 U.S. offices were involved in providing security assistance, from training to crisis response.  This substantial multi-agency effort was coordinated by the U.S. ambassador in Greece. A State Department official said the U.S. Embassy in Beijing has been tasked with similar duties for the games in China.

As the torch is lit August 8 for another summer of excitement and international competition, one international partnership is working behind the scenes to ensure a safe and secure Olympics for all participants.

“As host nation to the 2008 Olympic Games, Chinese authorities will have ultimate responsibility for security during the Games themselves,” Donovan said. “That said, ensuring a safe and secure Olympics [is] in everyone’s interest, and the United States stands ready to offer our support as needed.”

As the games begin in Beijing, President Bush will be opening the new U.S. Embassy there.  Bush will be at the opening of the games to welcome the U.S. Olympic Team.