BEIJING'S postal authorities will beef up inspections of parcels being sent to Olympic venues, the Beijing Times reported yesterday.

All packages sent to gymnasiums and athletes¡¯ dormitories during the Games would be scanned to see whether flammable, biochemical substances or other suspicious items were concealed within.

Postal officials said most Olympic-related parcels were now being sent to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympics Games, adding they would treat parcels and letters addressed to the Beijing Olympic Building with "unique care and caution."

In a recently approved regulation, police were given the authority to make random security checks of people and vehicles in Tiananmen Square, which was previously limited to special occasions such as major events and holidays.

(SD-Agencies)