Ministry set to toughen guns ahead of CPC national congress

Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun speaks at a symposium which gathered police chief from across the country. (Photo/gov.cn)

China will stage a campaign against manufacture and sale of guns in the lead-up to the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun said Tuesday.

Speaking at a symposium which gathered police chief from across the country, Guo said campaigns on management of explosives and hazardous items, improved courier and logistics security as well as fire safety of high-rise buildings will also be staged.

Together, these campaigns will serve to "safeguard stability and security and promote harmony," and help build a safe and stable social environment for a successful Party congress, Guo said.

The 19th CPC National Congress, a major event in the political life of the Party and the state, will be held in Beijing in the second half of 2017.

Possession of guns by private individuals is illegal in China. The country has long maintained high pressure on gun crime and has asked the public to turn in illegal guns and explosives and report anything suspicious to the police.