The Beijing Office of Legislative Affairs issued the Regulation
and Policy on Public Security Image Information System (Draft) on
its official website Tuesday, encouraging the installation of
cameras at public places, the Beijing News reported.
The regulation states "major and populous public places, traffic
centers and main infrastructure places should install Image
Information System cameras to monitor and ensure public
security."
The Office encourages citizens to submit their ideas and
suggestions to the authorities towards the regulation draft.
Zhou Jidong, an official in the Beijing Office of Legislative
Affairs, told the Beijing News the objective of the new regulations
is to ensure the city's public security and prevent possible
terrorist attacks on the upcoming 2008 Olympics.
"The criminals who carried out the London underground attacks
last year were identified through camera image records," Zhou
said.
Despite the intensified detection, the policy also guarantees
people's privacy by prohibiting the installation of cameras in
baths, emporium fitting rooms, hotel rooms and other private
spaces.
"Although the image information system put the public under
strict surveillance, it also is careful to ensure citizens'
privacy," Zhou added.
"Even pictures taken from the public referring to personal
contents will not be spread to others," the draft states.
Companies or departments which use the cameras and keep the
records are forbidden to authorize other people or organizations
copying or seeing the records, unless for governmental
administration or police investigations.
According to the new regulations, conducts of changing the
cameras' locations or usage and copying or spreading the imagery
information will be amerced for thousands or tens of thousands
yuan.
Besides, all camera devices should be visible and distinct to
the people under detection, and signs should be installed near the
cameras.
(China Daily July 13, 2006)