More than 40,000 police officers will be trained in Beijing to deal with "unexpected events" including major terrorist attacks in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games.

A major "field training" program was officially launched yesterday as part of the move that will see police in the capital trained in all aspects over the next two years.

The program started with a "hostage rescue" demonstration that included using "explosions" by the city's special crack police.

Qiang Wei, Beijing's deputy Party secretary and also head of the Beijing Olympic Security Coordination Group, said the training program was part of the efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful Olympics.

"Beijing is an international metropolis with a low crime rate. But to prevent and handle unexpected incidents that may happen during the Games, we need a strong force," said Qiang, whose name literally means "strong safeguard."

At yesterday's demonstration two armored police vans sped by with sirens blaring and lights flashing; policemen in black flak jackets advanced with guns or shields in hand, shooting at simulative terrorists.

Some climbed onto the roof, descending vertically with a rope into the courtyard and subduing gangsters.

The Hollywood-style demonstration was held at the Beijing People's Police College, which is rarely open to outsiders. The college is the location where all 40,000 police officers receive their training, said Zhao Yuan, director of the training department of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

She said it would be a three-phased program.

"From then on to the end of this year, the focus would be given to separate basic skills, such as physical strength," Zhao said.

Next year officers will receive training in simulative conditions.

And in 2008, field training in the college as well as at Olympic venues will be conducted.

Zhao said police officers would receive different training courses according to specified duties.

Beijing police also started to receive foreign language training in 2001.

Bureau figures show that about 17,480 officers have so far received the Beijing Oral English Certificate.

Zhao said such language training would be carried on, and it was estimated that by the end of next year, more than 60 per cent of Beijing police officers would have passed the oral test.

"Besides English, some other major languages such as French, German and Arabic will also be included in the training."

Diplomats from 37 foreign embassies in Beijing were also invited to yesterday's launching ceremony. Janusz Tatera, counselor of the Polish Embassy, who is also secretary general of the Polish Olympic Committee, said the demonstration was a good move to provide a safe Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)