China publishes anti-terrorism manual for citizens

BEIJING: China has published a handbook for its citizens on what to do in the event of a terrorist attack and warned them they are not immune from the global scourge, state media said on Thursday.

The 'attractive, snappily illustrated paperback' will be available to the public at a cost of 20 yuan ($2.50) and cover a broad range of issues associated with terrorism," the news agency said.

"Terrorism is an international reality and a threat to people's safety everywhere, including China," Du Xiangwan, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, which produced the book, was quoted as saying.

"By making the public more aware of terrorism, and providing them with scientific information, we can improve their capacity to respond," Du said.

The dispatch did not mention the 2008 Beijing Olympics but Chinese officials have said terrorism is a key security focus ahead of the Games.

Chinese authorities have said more than 100,000 police and other security professionals will be on hand to provide security during the Games, aided by more than 600,000 volunteer Beijing residents.

China has largely been spared from terrorist attacks that have plagued other nations in recent years.

However Beijing claims it faces a terrorist threat from members of China's minority Uighur population, who continue to harbour independence ambitions for their homeland in China's far northwest Xinjiang region.