Police in 150 Chinese cities jointly destroyed more than 100,000 illegal guns Tuesday, the Ministry of Public Security said.

Police destroy illegal weapons in Tangshan, Hebei province, on Tuesday, in a campaign launched in 150 cities.[ Photo / China Daily ]

About 250 tonnes of illegal explosives will also be disposed of in the next few days, according to the statement from the ministry.

A large portion of these guns were seized by police during raids, and others were submitted by citizens, the statement said.

Half of the guns were confiscated during a national campaign targeting illegal guns and explosives, which started in February and will last until December, it said.

So far, police have busted more than 180 criminal organizations and detained 7,800 suspects involved in the illegal possession of guns and explosives, the statement said.

Since January, the number of criminal cases involving guns has dropped by 9.7 percent from the same period of last year, and criminal cases involving explosives have fallen by 21.6 percent, the statement said.

Last year, the incidence of crimes involving guns and explosives was notably reduced by 46 percent and 39 percent, respectively, from 2010, thanks to a similar national campaign.

Chinese police will strike hard on illegal guns and explosives, and they welcome citizens to provide information, the statement said.

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