(BEIJING, Jan. 11) -- Policemen in Beijing are required to engage in simple English conversations by 2008 while their cadres need to obtain comprehensive qualifications in English-mastering, according to Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The common police will understand and respond to calls for help and inquiries about ways and guide to shopping centers as well.

In June 2006, the city's "110" -- local emergency service call center -- initiated a two-year English training program to improve the language competence of the operators, in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games. Teaching materials for the program have already specified.

Emergency calls in English can be handled with English speaking operators handy at the center, and those in other languages will be transferred for interpretation to the bureau's Exit and Entry Management Section.

At present, calls made by foreigners remain low.