A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) extended Spring Festival greetings to the nation's 1.9 million police on Thursday, the first day of the lunar new year.

Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, heard reports on police work from various regions via a video command system at the Ministry of Public Security.

He urged the police to work effectively to maintain "a sound social environment and public security order", noting the police have made great contributions in the nation's fight against the freak weather.

Zhou conveyed his condolences to policemen who died while working in the unprecedented snow havoc, including Zhang Xinmin and Ou Guangquan, who were posthumously conferred the title of hero and model of all Chinese policemen.

He asked the police to ensure the stability of disaster-affected areas.

He also called on them to work hard for the security of the Olympic Games.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2008)