Macao's public security has improved greatly since it returned to the motherland two years ago, making the special administrative region (SAR) one of the safest places in the world, a high official from the Ministry of Public Security said Monday in Macao.

Zhu Entao, assistant minister of public security, made the remark at a work meeting between security departments from China'sinland and Macao.

Police from Macao and China's interior has conducted wider, closer and more efficient cooperation since Macao's return, Zhu noted.

This year, the two sides joined hands in cracking down on economic crimes, organized crimes, drug deals and smuggling and protecting the safety of people's lives and property.

Zhu reaffirmed the efforts made by Macao police in upgrading local security situation, and vowed to provide full support for the SAR's security department.

Policemen from Macao and the interior strengthened skill and academic exchanges this year. A special mechanism became effectiveon September 1 to notify each other the latest security information in an emergency.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2001)