Chinese troops are to step up anti-terrorism training to ensure the security of Beijing's Olympic Games in August, a senior military officer has said.

"This year poses a challenging test. We have scheduled massive training programs before the Olympics to better prepare against any possible threat," an officer from the General Staff Headquarters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) was quoted as saying.

The officer, who refused to be identified, said the troops participating in Olympics security were focusing on biochemical and nuclear threats, as well as emergency rescue operations.

He said the PLA on Friday completed safety inspections of the Water Cube, the flagship Olympic venue for water events, in advance of the 16th FINA Diving World Cup, which will take place from February 19 to 24.

In June last year, the PLA established a security unit, consisting of army, navy and air force personnel, for the Games.

The army is responsible for air protection of all venues, and maritime safety of coastal venues, and will mainly deal with non-traditional threats during the Games, particularly biochemical and nuclear terror attacks.

It will also help the police and armed police forces prevent and deal with terror attacks as well as rescue operations in disaster or accident situations.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2008)