Some 20 officers trained to speak English or Japanese or both were on duty by Tuesday, the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

People who ask for help from them may also receive a small card reading: "If you lose your possessions or meet with some other difficulties and need the help of the police, please contact us. We will do all we can to assist you."

The bilingual or trilingual police are from the Xicheng District branch of Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

They comprise the first group of local police officers in the city to serve the public in foreign languages.

On her first day of duty as a multilingual police officer, Fei Shuyu said she felt a little nervous when a British tourist asked the way to a local attraction.

"At the beginning, it was hard for me to find the proper expression in English," Fei said. "But I finally worked out the best route and came up with a plan for the visitor".

"It would be a nice feeling if I ran across a policeman who could speak Chinese in a foreign country," said Liu Wenli, another officer in the new group.

Melvyn Lancaster of Australia said he felt at home when he received assistance from English-speaking police officers.

Sources in the municipal bureau said a seven-year training plan has been drafted with the aim of teaching all police officers foreign languages so they can serve the public better and be prepared for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

(eastday.com October 4, 2002)