China has broken up two terrorist rings in the northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The Ministry of Public Security revealed that the terrorists, who numbered 45 in total, were attempting to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Games.

Wu Heping is the spokesman of the ministry.

"Cracking down on these two terrorist groups again proves that China's security departments are ready to safeguard the upcoming Olympics, as well as public property and life. We are fully prepared to defeat all types of terrorism activities."

In the first case, the police in Xinjiang netted a 10-member terrorist group this January. A large number of explosive devices and raw materials were found during the raid.

Police investigations indicated that the group was sent from abroad by the "Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement" terrorist organization to carry out anti-Olympic terrorist attacks.

The other recently destroyed terrorist group was plotting to kidnap foreign journalists, tourists and athletes during the Beijing Olympics.

The group has been secretly recruiting more members in various parts of Xinjiang, collecting materials for making explosives and searching for persons capable of making guns and explosives.