The Beijing Police Museum, devoted to the development of professional policemen and the history of China's public security undertakings, will open to the public on August 1, the municipal public security bureau of Beijing announced, according to today's China Daily.

The museum is home to more than 7,000 collected articles, including more than 1,500 precious exhibits on display.

The displayed objects, photos and models give a full picture of public security development in Beijing, the criminal system and police weapons, equipment and investigation, ranging from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) to now.

Some 40 policemen from the Haidian branch of the bureau visited the museum on Monday and vowed to follow the spirit of their former colleague,Yuan Shiguang, a martyr who devoted his life to fighting a brigand.

Yuan's personal effects, including his uniform, blood donation card and badge are displayed in the museum to commemorate his life.

In the municipal bureau's 50-year history, 58 policemen died at their posts, and their names are engraved on a wall in the museum.

(Xinhua 07/25/2001)