Several thousand residents of Guangzhou Saturday watched baton, wrestling, and boxing shows by policemen, and they also had a rare chance to touch a police helicopter, armored carriers, anti-riot and anti-explosive vehicles in the Chinese police's first open day.

Some of the residents posed for photo opportunities with the helicopter while others filled in comment forms about local police.

The activity was organized by the Guangzhou Bureau of Public Security in a bid to help local residents better understand police and for the police to provide better service for local residents.

It was held at the Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center, where 23 information desks were arranged by the police for exchanges between the police and local residents.

Elbowing his way through the crowd, a gentleman who identified himself as Mr. Zhang said he was happy to learn how the police emergency hotline 110 operates from a video show by an information desk.

"It's really a learning experience for me, and I'm surprised at the rapid reaction of the police to handle an emergency call for help. They responded so quickly and their equipment is really advanced."

"With such a powerful police force, as a resident of Guangzhou, I'm quite reassured of my safety," said Zhang, who turned to an information desk on household affairs.

In front of the firefighting information desk, a lady in her sixties, who gave her surname as Liang, put out a fire using a fire extinguisher with the help of policemen.

"I hope the police will sponsor more activities like this."

"I didn't know how to use the fire extinguisher until today although we can see fire extinguishers every day in our apartment building," said Liang.

Zhang Xiuqi, a police officer in charge of the open day, said they are trying to make their work more open to the public, and the open day activity is one of their attempts to improve their services.

Zhang said more open days will be arranged.

In the past few years, Chinese police have been striving to improve their services.

The Ministry of Public Security ordered police stations across the country to remove from duty the policeman who comes last in performance, a tough move never seen before in China.

(People’s Daily 03/25/2001)