Yu Zaiqing, executive member of the IOC and Chinese Olympic Committee vice-chairman, reiterated Tuesday Beijing's stance that the equestrian events be moved to Hong Kong because of equine-disease risks.

He said Hong Kong has the ability to host the events instead of Beijing.

His comments came amid widespread speculation that the IOC will announce the location of the equestrian events this week, ending weeks of second guessing.

Speaking in Beijing, he said that moving the events to Hong Kong is the right decision, and that the International Equestrian Federation - which opposes holding the events in Hong Kong - must accept that China's horses are used mainly for agricultural purposes and carry equine-disease risks.

``We are a developing country ... that equine diseases exist in this country is a fact. If we don't welcome other places hosting the event, we will be taking a very big risk,'' he said.

The IEF, however, maintains that moving the event to Hong Kong will cut it off from the Olympics.

That opposition has led the Games' organizing committee to postpone its decision on the request by Beijing to move the equestrian events.

Hong Kong Olympic Committee president Timothy Fok, in Beijing for meetings with Games officials, said he is optimistic the IFE can be persuaded, and hopes a decision will be announced soon.

Edwin McAuley, vice-president of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, said his organization is in ``total support'' of the bid to move the events to the territory, although there are ``different opinions'' within the group.

``It is inevitable for an organization with more than 300 members to have different opinions,'' he said Tuesday.

``Some have concerns about climatic issues and some are concerned that the Games should take place in one city.''

But he stressed that Hong Kong has the historical advantage and facilities to host the events.

``The sport goes back to the beginnings of the Jockey Club. [It] has excellent facilities, and Hong Kong has lots of expertise.''

The government and Jockey Club propose that the core competition venue should consist of the Sha Tin racecourse, Penfold Park and the Hong Kong Sports Institute.