Security noose tightened around Asian Games opening

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GUANGZHOU, Nov 12 (AFP): Security forces mounted a huge land, sea and air operation to safeguard the opening of the Asian Games Friday, due to be launched in a glitzy riverside gala ceremony.
In a departure from usual practice, the event was being held on an island in the Pearl River instead of inside a stadium -- giving authorities an extra headache in the Chinese city of Guangzhou.
The streets of the southern metropolis were eerily quiet in the hours leading up to the ceremony as security forces mounted a sweeping operation to isolate the fenced-off venue, with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao due to attend.
But as dusk fell over the city thousands of people streamed to the spectacular setting near the giant Canton Tower ahead of the start of the ceremony at 8:00 pm (1200 GMT).
More than 100,000 police officers have been drafted in to keep the Games safe, along with hundreds of thousands of security guards and volunteers.
Public security authorities have set up a "security firewall" around the city with scores of checkpoints and hundreds of thousands of surveillance cameras in place, according to state media.
"As the Guangzhou Asian Games will have the most ever athletes, officials and reporters in the history of the Asian Games, the security work has been a great challenge," a statement from the Games security panel said.
"The security panel has adopted effective and necessary measures to ensure a safe Games. We have done our best to provide a safe and favourable environment for athletes, coaches, officials and audiences."
Security was more of a challenge due to the location of the opening ceremony so the operation would have to cover land, air and sea, the statement said.
Authorities apologised for the inconvenience caused to local residents, whose lives have been disrupted by the huge operation.
Games chiefs announced earlier this week that all venues had been locked down ahead of the Games, the world's biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games -- including counter-terrorist and hostage rescue drills.
It came just days after the Ministry of Public Security said it had arrested more than 600 "fugitives" in the southern city, without providing further details.
More than 10,000 athletes from 45 nations and territories will be competing in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province which sits in the Pearl River Delta, the hub of China's huge export-oriented "workshop of the world".
The extravaganza heralds the most ambitious Asiad so far with more than 14,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries and territories angling for gold in 42 sports.
Organisers are promising the largest lighting show ever seen at a major sports event, based around a theme prominently featuring the local Lingnan culture.
Film starlet Zhang Ziyi and world-renowned pianist Lang Lang will perform together in one of the highlights of the show.