A circular issued by the Supreme People's Procuratorate asks local procuratorates to focus on peddlers' markets and gas stations over a six-month period starting in March.

The procuratorates are required to target commodities which are fake and of inferior quality, gas stations which are increasing rapidly throughout the country, and tax evasion by market peddlers and gas station proprietors.

Public procurators who tailor the law to suit their selfish ends, practice favoritism or commit irregularities will be held responsible for their wrong doings, says the circular.

The procuratorates and the public security departments will conduct joint conferences in order to investigate economic crimes and to propose solutions.

Statistics show that in 2001 alone, procuratorates across the country have arrested 26,002 people suspected of committing economic crimes. They have also prosecuted 14,120 cases involving 23,526 people.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2002)