Fears of natural or manmade disasters have led Beijing authorities to pledge to complete emergency shelters in the area of the Olympic venues before the Games begin in August, 2008.

The pledge comes as part of a package unveiled on Tuesday by local government to improve the number of emergency shelters in Beijing's urban core, broadly speaking within the Second Ring Road, where land is most expensive.

"Clear signs will be placed on evacuation routes to help people find their way to the shelters in a short time," said an unnamed official with the Planning Commission of Beijing Municipality.

The city of Beijing suffers from a shortage of public emergency shelters, which are designed to provide housing for victims in earthquakes, fire, and other emergencies. Emergency shelter area provision in the city proper is only around 1 square meters per person, only half of the area demanded by city regulations.

A total of 20 to 30 emergency shelters, with a combined holding capacity of 1.5 million to 2 million people and a floor area of more than 2,000 square meters, should be built each year in city areas, according to the "The Layout of the Emergency and Disaster Shelters in Beijing City Proper".

Meanwhile, Beijing's firewardens revealed on Tuesday that fears of the Forbidden City burning to the ground have led them to create a tourist evacuation plan.

The 600-year-old complex of buildings is the most complete imperial palace and ancient building complex in China, and also one of China's most recognizable tourist attractions.

The fire department has also promised to arrive at any fire site within the 720,000-plus square meter complex in two minutes.

The problem is not a new one - before the modern era 308 giant water cylinders were scattered throughout the complex in case of fire breaking out.