The Ministry of Public Security urged police nationwide to ensure security for the upcoming annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body.

Police should safeguard people's livelihood, strengthen the safety supervision of hazardous materials and large-scale events, and tighten security checks on traffic going into Beijing, vice minister Huang Ming said at a security meeting in Beijing Tuesday.

The Third Session of 11th National People's Congress (NPC) and the Third Session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) are scheduled to open on March 5 and 3, respectively, in Beijing.

Police are asked to visit communities to check for problems, help relevant authorities settle disputes, and crack down heavily on illegal activities and crime.

Huang said police should clamp down and prohibit illegal use, storage, transport and sale of hazardous materials such as fireworks and crackers.

Huang also urged efforts to tighten security checks at large-scale events, such as trade fairs and garden parties, adding police should ensure the implementation of safety regulations, maintain order in traffic and security around events, and get fully prepared to prevent stampedes and other accidents of high casualties.

Police in Beijing's seven neighboring provincial-level regions have been asked to maintain social stability and reinforce checks on vehicles, flights and trains entering the city from March 1 to March 15.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2010)