Liu Jingmin, vice-mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Beijing Games, talks about the preparations for the Games in Beijing October 19, 2007. [Xinhua]

Beijing has increased the budget for the 2008 Olympic Games to US$2 billion from the previous estimate of US$1.6 billion, a top city official revealed on Friday.

The strengthened budget is aimed at providing better security for the event, said Liu Jingmin, vice-mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

The rise in the value of China's currency is also a factor, he told reporters on the sidelines of the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing.

Another budget revision will be made later, he said, as each host city is required to submit three versions of the budget during the preparation for the Games, with the first made during the bidding process.

Liu went on to guarantee the staging of "an absolute safe and secure gathering" in the Chinese capital.

Putting security issues as the top priority in preparation of the Games, Liu said China has created a high-level command system for Olympic safety involving various authorities, including the Ministry of Public Security and the armed forces.

He added BOCOG is also in touch with international organizations, such as former Olympic host countries and foreign embassies to China to ensure safety.

With regards to environmental concerns around the Beijing Games, Liu said that the city has honestly honored its commitments for a Green Olympiad.

"Over the past few years, the city has moved 167 factories to more remote areas, while helping them with technical innovations to reduce emissions," Liu explained.

However, he said Beijing has yet to decide whether to close factories in the surrounding areas during the Games.

He went on to say that the environmental protection drive is not only for the sake of hosting the Olympics, but also for the benefit of the people's daily lives in the long term.

Besides the environmental benefits, the preparation for the Olympics has also boosted the country's human rights development tremendously, he noted.

"People's rights are protected and have improved in this process," he said, adding that quality of life and the environment have greatly improved in Beijing.

BOCOG is also honoring its commitment to the International Olympic Committee by being more accessible to foreign journalists, Liu added.

When asked about individuals or groups who may boycott the international event, Liu appealed to them not to associate political issues with the Olympics.

"Any political issue that has nothing to do with the Olympics shall not be linked to the Olympic Games," replied Liu, adding that the attempt to boycott the Beijing Games on such excuses is both inappropriate and unpopular.

He expressed his belief that the Beijing Games would greatly improve understanding and friendship between Chinese people and people in the rest of the world.