Authorities have pledged a massive security operation during the games [Reuters]

China has unveiled fresh steps to tighten security for the upcoming Olympics, warning of an unprecedented threat to the games less than four weeks ahead of the opening ceremony in Beijing.

Among security measures announced, officials have said all vehicles entering Beijing will be subject to searches – a potentially huge task with millions of cars travelling to the capital every day.

Authorities in Hebei province, which surrounds the Chinese capital, announced on Saturday that checkpoints would be set up on all roads leading into the city from July 20.

"We must prevent any person with ulterior motives from entering Beijing and we must prevent any dangerous or illegal materials from entering Beijing," the provincial government said in a statement on its website.

Artillery

Artillery batteries have been placed near Olympic venues [EPA]

The military has also set up artillery batteries at Olympic venues, including the main stadium, popularly known as the bird's nest.

Officials have also said a 100,000-strong anti-terrorism unit will also be deployed, along with fighter jets, naval vessels, nuclear detectors and bio-warfare equipment.

In its editorial, the People's Daily said the tight security was necessary  comes because rioting and looting in Tibet this year and recent police battles with "terrorist groups" in the northwestern border region of Xinjiang showed that the games were "facing a terrorist threat unsurpassed in Olympic history".

"As far as China is concerned, the international situation and the political environment is becoming increasingly complicated by the day, and the dark clouds of terrorism on our borders are a fact that cannot be ignored," it said.

'Holy war'

A 100,000-strong anti-terrorist force is being deployed [Reuters]

China announced last week that 82 "suspected terrorists" had been detained in Xinjiang this year for allegedly plotting to sabotage the Olympics.

In one incident last week state press said police had shot dead five knife-wielding Uighurs and detained 10 others in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, who allegedly wanted to launch a "holy war".

According to US-based Radio Free Asia, two ethnic minority Uighur Muslims convicted of terrorist and separatist activities were executed last week in Xinjiang and 15 were jailed for similar crimes.

Chinese leaders see the Olympics as a showcase event for modern China and are determined that the event will run without a hitch.

The People's Daily said that when China was awarded the right to host the Games in 2001, its number one commitment to the International Olympic Committee was that it would maintain security.

"In order to fulfil this commitment, China has built the most strict prevention and control system in Olympic history, adopting a series of security measures rarely seen," it said.

Beijing hosts the Olympics from August 8-24 and Paralympics from September 6-17.

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