Faced with growing social and ethnic unrest, China has ordered intensive measures to strengthen its riot police, according to a Xinhua news agency report today.
The move comes as Beijing battles militant Moslem separatists in the far western region of Xinjiang. Millions of urban jobless, and disgruntled farmers, also pose a threat to the Communist government.
Provincial capitals have been instructed by the Ministry of Public Security to set up riot police squads at least 200 strong, Xinhua said.
Municipalities, including Shanghai and Beijing, must have forces numbering at least 300.
Other key cities will establish forces according to their needs, the official news agency said.
Better training and equipment would be stressed as part of the build-up.
The Ministry of Public Security has issued an order requiring intensive efforts to enhance the build-up of such police forces across the country, Xinhua said.
Reuters