China’s capital will replace Communist-era red armbands worn by hundreds of thousands of security volunteers with stylish Olympic badges ahead of the 2008 Summer Games.

Liu Rui, an official from the Chongwen district, was quoted by the Beijing News: ‘The red armbands have been used in Beijing for many decades. They should change with the times and take on a new appearance with a contemporary feel.’

The design for the new chest badge had been completed and is awaiting final official approval, according to Yu Hongyuan, deputy head of the city’s police force.

Red armbands are still common in Beijing, as they are in the countryside.
Source: The Guardian