A photo exhibition kicked off Monday in Beijing to honour distinguished police officers who have devoted their lives to providing public security.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the exhibition displays photos of 181 police martyrs and role models.
For example, Pan Kun, a policeman from Nanchang, capital of East China's Jiangxi Province, rescued two hostages held by four masked kidnappers but was killed in a gunfight with the kidnappers on December 31. After his death, Pan was nominated as a Class A Hero by the ministry.
Like Pan, more than 8,000 Chinese policemen have died on their posts since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, according to the ministry.
In commending their dedication , the ministry has given awards to more than 80,000 advanced police units and 230,000 police officers.
"They are the best representatives of Chinese policemen, who have experienced numerous tests during their careers and personal lives and played a key role in maintaining public security and social order," said Sun Mingshan, a senior MPS official, at the opening ceremony. "Their heroic exploits will always live on with us."
The latest national crime crackdown began September 20 and has led to the capture of more than 24,500 suspects, including those accused of setting explosions, homicide, kidnapping and robbery, official sources said.
Today, there are 16 million policemen in China.
The photo exhibition will end on Friday.
(China Daily November 6, 2001)
