Ministry orders enhanced security in public transportation

China's Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday held an emergency national meeting, calling for better security on subways, buses and other public transportation.

In a circular issued after the meeting, the ministry required that security staff should be present on every subway train and every bus with necessary protection and safety gear.

Police forces should work with transport authorities to manage security and the public should be mobilized, said Vice Public Security Minister Huang Ming.

Huang urged decisive measures against violent crime on public transportation, including arsons and explosions.

The circular orders police to upgrade risk monitoring and prevention, intensify patrols by armed and plain-clothes police, and reinforce management and monitoring of dangerous items and people. It requires security personnel are trained to identify illegal objects and organize emergency escapes.

The public should be encouraged to report suspicious items, the circular said, promising to reward informants who help stop crimes.