SWAT force holds drill for violent emergencies

QINGDAO, Shandong - About 1,900 SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) police officers took part in an emergency response drill in Qingdao city of East China's Shandong province on Tuesday.

They carried out exercises in response to scenarios involving individual bombers, armed serial murderers and multiple terrorist attacks.

The police officers were from more than 20 SWAT teams across the country, said sources with the Ministry of Public Security.

High-tech devices were also tested during the drill including high-accuracy sniper rifles, drones and throwable surveillance robots.

SWAT teams have developed into an efficient quick-response force and have handled difficult tasks since they were first introduced in the Chinese police force in 2005, the ministry said.