China's police chief pledged on Tuesday to promote social harmony and create a sound social environment for the forthcoming 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

China's 1.8 million police forces will further carry out the ongoing crackdowns on organized crimes, murders, gun- and explosives-related crimes, robberies, economic crimes, and drug-related crimes, said Zhou Yongkang, state councilor and minister of public security, at a national teleconference of police departments.

The police will also check on fire prevention, traffic safety and public security, he said.

Zhou, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, told police departments across the country to "sharpen their political sensibility, and effectively prevent and crack down on destructive activities that may threaten state security and social and political stability."

He called for uttermost efforts in resolving disputes of various kinds at the initial stage.

"Police should actively prevent mass incidents from happening, and properly handle them when they take place," he said.

The police chief also pledged to step up internal control over the massive police forces, so that officers will abide by law when enforcing the law.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2007)