PRESIDENT Jiang Zemin has expressed anxiety over the worsening law and order problem while maintaining confidence that the spate of labour unrest can be contained.
The rising crime rate was discussed at meetings chaired by Mr Jiang before he set off on his overseas tour.
A party source said Mr Jiang had identified the following black spots: the abduction of women and children, activities by criminal gangs and robbery and murder.
'Jiang gave orders for a three-month national campaign against the abduction of women and children,' the source said.
'And the annual Strike Hard campaign may begin earlier, particularly to target organised crime.' While refusing to admit that triad societies existed on the mainland, Mr Jiang pointed out activities of criminal gangs had increased to the extent national security was threatened.
The authorities had detected underground gangs based in southwestern and northwestern China during its research on how to develop the 10 western provinces and cities.
Since late last year, party committees in provinces and cities have set up special task forces to handle 'emergency events' such as large-scale crime or protests by laid-off workers.