These uniformed officers will be responsible for security issues when planes are in the air.

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, said all the aviation police were selected from airline security forces and local police forces, and some had taken part in more than a year of special training. He said all were qualified to deal with urgent security problem in the air.

Around 2,000 security staff will be dispatched to domestic airlines "not later than the end of June."

The official refused to speculate on any further expansion of the special force, saying this would be dependent on changes in aviation security.

The official made the remarks yesterday at a news conference marking a joint pilot training program between CAAC and the European Union.

Twelve veteran Chinese pilots and aviation officials, who had received months of technical and safety flight training in European countries, were given awards by the Minister of the CAAC Yang Yuanyuan and Head of European Commission Delegation to China Klaus Eberman.

The training, which is provided by Airbus, includes aircraft operation, simulator approval and accident investigation. Yang said the program is an important contribution to enhancing aviation safety in China.

(China Daily April 16, 2003)