The Beijing Public Security Bureau on Tuesday set up a special police unit to reinforce the city's security maintenance capability for the pending 2008 Olympics.

The unit responsible for counter-terrorism missions will become a major force of armed police in the national capital, said Ma Zhenchuan, director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

The Ministry of Public Security decided in March to set up special police forces in 36 major cities across the country.

Ma said the founding of the Beijing Special Police unit would be an example in the country, and improve the city's emergency response ability to deal with possible emergencies in preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2005)