China's civil aviation authorities adopted a new air traffic control mechanism starting from Sunday which aims to ensure a safe sky over China during the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Headquarters to oversee the implementation of the 2-month mechanism became operational at the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing on Sunday.

Under the plan, the aviation authorities will maintain closer monitoring of air traffic situation over the country to prevent any incident such as terror attack, said Su Langen, director of the CAAC's Air Traffic Management Bureau.

His bureau and seven regional bureaus across China will be operating on the 24-hour basis to keep timely evaluation of all factors that could affect air traffic safety, Su said.

They will respond quickly to emergent situations such as terror attacks, hijacking of civil aircraft, and unauthorized entry of no-fly zone by aircraft.

The official said they have prepared emergency response plans to deal with abnormal situations that could affect the safety of civil aviation.

Safety has always been one of the top priorities for organizers of the 29th Olympic Games that will kick off in Beijing, capital of China, on August 8.

Beijing Capital International Airport that handles major inflows of international athletes, officials and visitors will be closed for about four hours during the opening ceremony of the Olympics on August 8.

All major airports in Beijing and six co-host cities in China have beefed up security checks.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2008)