According to the new rules, all security-guard organizations should be approved by the police authorities.

Illegal security-guard forces have been ordered to immediately cease operations and dismiss their employees.

The government will investigate whether the city's security guards are qualified to operate.

Security guards involved in criminal activities will be fired and punished. They will also be disqualified from working as security guards in the city any more.

In addition, security-guard organizations and individual guards will be prevented from using and selling police weapons and protective equipment.

The city government also prohibits security-guard organizations and their employees from offering services to individuals.

The regulations were triggered by the death of hairdresser Shen Guohong, from Central China's Hubei Province.

After being involved in a motorcycle accident that led to a bitter argument with a village security guard on June 20, in Bao'an District, Shen was beaten to death by the guard and around 10 of his colleagues.

"The government has been timely in bringing out necessary rules," said Lin Weishen, a resident of the city's Futian District. "It is not rare for me to witness security guards misuse their power."

Yet for a 19-year old security guard who only gave his surname as Wu and works for a security company, it has never been easy to receive a formal qualification.

Before going on patrol, Wu received professional training, including basic information on laws and regulations, fire control and wrestling skills from his company for one month.

Even though the more than 500-yuan (US$60) monthly salary is decent in Wu's eyes, he is still planning to quit his job after just six months.

(China Daily June 30, 2003)