The Chinese government has ordered police to respond at the scene to all complaints of domestic violence in a new regulation to protect the rights of women.

The regulation, issued by seven ministries, including the ministries of public security, justice and health, requires police to be dispatched whenever they receive a 110 emergency call regarding household violence.

Chen Xiourong, vice president of the All-China Women's Federation, said on Wednesday that the regulation would reinforce the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women, which was amended in 2005 to include articles on domestic abuse. Twenty-five provinces had also enacted regulations to prevent violence against women.

Women's federations across China, together with public security departments, had set up domestic-abuse centers, shelters, complaint hotlines and legal aid websites, said Chen.

"All the measures have helped greatly to protect women from domestic violence," she said.

The federation received 40,000 to 50,000 complaints of domestic violence annually, and the number of cases had been increasing.

In the past, victims lacked legislative support and were afraid or ashamed to speak out, said Chen.

The Tenth National Women's Congress will be held from October 28 to 31, and more than 1,200 delegates representing the country's 650 million women will attend.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2008)