The Beijing Office of Legislative Affairs issued the Regulation and Policy on Public Security Image Information System (Draft) on its official website Tuesday, encouraging the installation of cameras at public places, the Beijing News reported.

The regulation states "major and populous public places, traffic centers and main infrastructure places should install Image Information System cameras to monitor and ensure public security."

The Office encourages citizens to submit their ideas and suggestions to the authorities towards the regulation draft.

Zhou Jidong, an official in the Beijing Office of Legislative Affairs, told the Beijing News the objective of the new regulations is to ensure the city's public security and prevent possible terrorist attacks on the upcoming 2008 Olympics.

"The criminals who carried out the London underground attacks last year were identified through camera image records," Zhou said.

Despite the intensified detection, the policy also guarantees people's privacy by prohibiting the installation of cameras in baths, emporium fitting rooms, hotel rooms and other private spaces.

"Although the image information system put the public under strict surveillance, it also is careful to ensure citizens' privacy," Zhou added.

"Even pictures taken from the public referring to personal contents will not be spread to others," the draft states.

Companies or departments which use the cameras and keep the records are forbidden to authorize other people or organizations copying or seeing the records, unless for governmental administration or police investigations.

According to the new regulations, conducts of changing the cameras' locations or usage and copying or spreading the imagery information will be amerced for thousands or tens of thousands yuan.

Besides, all camera devices should be visible and distinct to the people under detection, and signs should be installed near the cameras.

(China Daily July 13, 2006)