The Ministry of Public Security has promised police from around China will support Beijing police in their security operations for upcoming 17th National Congress of the Communist Part of China (CPC), which is due to convene next week.

Security forces from other regions should "spare no effort" to support the Beijing police to safeguard the capital, Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang told a meeting of Chinese police chiefs.

"All levels of police departments should try to resolve disputes and uncertainties at grassroots levels when they appear and try to minimize their influence," said Zhou.

He asked police to reduce the effects of "inharmonious factors" and create a "joyous and peaceful" social environment for the convention of the national party congress.

The police must ensure a sound social order and strengthen crackdown on criminal gangs, illegal firearms, street crime and economic crime, Zhou said.

They needed to improve their analysis and judgement of information and intelligence data.

He said the ministry would "reward individuals or departments greatly contributing to the Party congress security maintenance and seriously punish those causing accidents due to dereliction of duty".

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2007)