Chinese law enforcers told use AI, big data to improve security in unstable times
- Top official calls for efforts to curb ‘major social incidents’ through expanded surveillance programme and ‘city brains’
- Chen Yixin spoke to cadres during a three-day trip to the southern province of Guangdong last week
Chen Yixin, secretary general of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, which oversees law enforcement and security, made the remarks during a tour of southern Guangdong province last week. He visited seven cities – including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shanwei – and held seminars with local cadres during the three-day trip, according to a statement from the commission.
“The security environment at home and abroad has become increasingly complicated, with increasingly unstable and uncertain factors,” Chen was quoted as saying. “It is especially important to lay a solid foundation for social governance and security now.”
China is often described as the world’s most surveilled country – it is home to 18 of the 20 most monitored cities in the world, according to a study published by British technology research firm Comparitech in July last year.
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Chen also noted that social incidents can involve people with mental illness, and highlighted the importance of providing adequate health care. He said other cities could learn from Yunfu, in western Guangdong, which offers full medical and support services for mental health issues.