China to tighten security ahead of Party congress

BEIJING - China will "tamper down and consolidate" a security belt in Beijing before the city hosts a crucial Communist Party of China congress during which a new generation of leaders will be elected.

The Ministry of Public Security on Friday ordered police across the country to initiate overall management and control measures and increase street patrols to ensure stability.

In a national teleconference hosted by the ministry, Huang Ming, vice minister of public security, asked police to ramp up efforts to settle disputes, resolve conflicts and address prominent petitions.

Huang also pledged to crack down on online gun trade and use police campaigns to target gun-related crime, gang crime, telecom fraud, the abduction of women and children, pornography and gambling.