Beijing ? China will allow a modicum of dissent at the Olympics, setting up special protest zones far from the main sports venues, in a shift that supporters and detractors said Wednesday is meant to safely channel criticism and avoid disrupting the games.

The designated protest areas will be in parts of three public parks, none of them closer than several miles from the main Olympic stadium. One zone is in a park that features large-scale mock-ups of the White House and other world monuments, raising the prospect that protesters will appear to be elsewhere in televised images and news photos.

In making the announcement, the Beijing Olympic organizing committee’s security director, Liu Shaowu, cited the use of protest areas at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

“People or protesters who want to express their personal opinions can go to do so,” Liu told reporters.

The move, however, doesn’t mean Beijing is inviting a flood of protests at the games, which open in 16 days. Liu suggested demonstrators would need to apply for permission in advance.