China Deploys Surface-to-Air Missiles for Olympics
China has deployed missile defences close to one of the venues to be used in the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, which begin in the middle of August.
The surface-to-air missiles are located a mere 300 yards from the Olympic Sports Center Stadium which, during the games, will host Pentathlon and Soccer events. Less than half a mile away from the missiles, meanwhile, is the main Bird’s Nest National Stadium.
Military Compound
Effectively, the missiles and their Hongqi 7 missile launchers – of which two have been noted – lie within a military compound, access to which is restricted by a perimeter fence, seven feet in height.
Also present within the compound are vehicles, buried beneath camouflaged netting.
Soldier Guards
On June 24th, the area was observed with a large number of soldiers guarding it, accompanied by a note instructing onlookers that it was a “Military Administrative District”, with “No Admittance”.
Airborne Attack
The missiles would potentially allow the Chinese military to intervene during the Games, if conditions dictated this. For example, in response to an airborne attack.
Olympic Threat Force
Earlier this month, Beijing said that it had put together a 100,000-strong force designed to thwart threats against the Olympics. The force, it said, was comprised of conventional Army troops, together with Police forces and other specialised units.
Patriot Missiles
At the previous Olympic Games, held in Greece, Patriot missiles were deployed around host city Athens.
Japanese Warship in China
In other military news from the Far East, as recently previewed by Armed Forces International, a Japanese warship arrived in China today for the first time in over 60 years.
The vessel involved in the historic visit was Japan’s Sazanami which, prior to this voyage, was loaded with aid intended for survivors of the earthquake that hit China’s Sichuan Province in May.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Far East Correspondent
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