Luo Gan, the country's top law-enforcement chief, reminded cadres yesterday that they should not use 'simple and crude' methods to suppress public protests.

Speaking during a tour of Zhejiang province, Mr Luo said the number of mass protests had risen in recent years and had become a major threat to social stability. 'Issues that involve public interests must be handled with great care. We can't avoid problems and must not use simple and rude methods which will only escalate conflicts.'

He said cadres should explain policies patiently to win public support.