Chinese will not become the major targets for terrorist attacks in Athens

The safety of the Athens Olympic Games has drawn extensive concerns from the international society. Some 3,000 Chinese will go to Athens during the Olympic Games. According to anti-terror experts, Chinese people will not become the major targets for international terrorist attacks in Athens, and they can feel relieved to visit Athens.

After the "9/11" terrorist raids in the United States, the safety of Olympic Games has been turned important unprecedentedly. The Greek government has spent 1.2 billion Euros on guaranteeing the safety of Olympic Games. During the Games, a great number of Chinese will go to Athens. Besides the 633-member Olympic delegation, Beijing Olympic visiting team, a large number of journalists and tourists including some 1,500 tourists organized by travel agencies will go to visit there.

According to Li Wei, director of the anti-terror research center under Modern International Relations Research Institute of China, Chinese will not face terror threats greatly. Neither officials nor non-governmental people regardless of teams or individuals "will become the major targets for international terrorist attacks." Greece has classified game-participating countries in terms of the terror threats, and China does not belong to the countries with high-level risks. However, according to the introduction by relevant departments, the Chinese government still actively adopts various measures to guarantee the safety of Chinese citizens during their stay in Athens.

Travel agencies organizing touring groups to Athens also attach great importance to the safety issue. More than 300 travelers organized by China International Sports Travel (CIST) will go there.

Nevertheless, according to Li Wei and relevant officials with the Ministry of State Security, some organizations including the Eastern Turkistan Liberation Organization will pose direct threats to Chinese citizens as they are still conducting terrorist activities in Athens. Although their activities reduced, it cannot be said that they pose no threats any more. Additionally, as there are "high risky" crowds from other countries, it is still possible for Chinese people to be on alert. Li remarks: "We must realize that there still exists the risks of terrorist attacks."

By People's Daily Online