Authorities are confident that they can foil any terrorist plots against the Beijing Olympics, according to Kurexi Maihesuti, vice chairman of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Government.
Kurexi Maihesuti made the statement at a press conference held on Friday afternoon.
"As the host country for the Olympics, China has made adequate preparations against possible terrorist attacks," he said.
"With our experience in dealing with terrorists, especially the East Turkistan Islamic Movement over the past years, we are confident that we can thwart any terrorist activities in time," he said.
Kurexi Maihesuti dismissed the notion that China is over-reacting in fighting terrorism, citing that an anti-terrorism campaign should be a global enterprise and that it is China's responsibility, in much the same way as it would be for any other Olympic host city to ensure a safe Games.
He admitted that a number of terrorist groups, encouraged by overseas anti-China forces, are currently engaging in terrorist activities in Xinjiang.
"But contrary to some media hype, the number of terrorist groups and their capacities are very limited," he said.
"Xinjiang police forces have already cracked several terrorist plots since the beginning of this year," he said without elaboration.
Earlier reports said local police had cracked five terrorism groups in the first half of 2008 in Xinjiang, detaining 82 suspected terrorists who allegedly plotted sabotage against the Olympics.
Authorities also installed 42 explosives trace detectors, or ETDs, at all entrances to terminal buildings of the 13 airports in the region to foil possible terror attacks before and during the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.
