Beijing has admitted about 230 pistols and rifles and 180,000 rounds of ammunition brought by overseas athletes for the Sept. 6-17 Paralympic Games, local authorities said on Saturday.

Staff with the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection have worked around the clock since Aug. 28 to ensure the rapid and smooth entry of the guns and bullets carried by Paralympians from about 40 countries and regions, a station spokesman said.

More than 4,000 athletes from nearly 150 countries and regions are set to compete for 472 gold medals in 20 sports. The shooting event, scheduled from Sept. 7-12, will produce 12 gold medals.

Beijing allowed the entry of about 700 guns and 780,000 rounds of ammunition for the Aug. 8-24 Olympics, which were brought by some 400 athletes from 103 countries and regions.

Private citizens in China can't sell or own guns.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)