Police in south China' s Guangzhou city Tuesday set up a counter-terrorism unit to ensure the safety of the 16th Asian Games which is scheduled to open here on Nov. 12.

The unit, composed of 90 elite police officers picked from the local police forces, is tasked to handle terrorist attacks, riots and major accidents, said officials with Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau.

The unit, dubbed "Lightening Commando" , means the team shall act "quick,resolute and accurate," authorities said.

The two-weeks-long Asian Games is scheduled to open on Nov. 12 in Guangzhou.The events will be held in four cities in Guangdong Province. On Tuesday morning, Chinese President Hu Jintao lit the torch from a specially designed cauldron in Beijing's Temple of Heaven, marking the official start of the month-long relay.