The Ministry of Public Security announced a national action against human trafficking of women and children on Thursday, in wake of increasing incidences of these cases in China.

"The country has seen an increasing incidence of human trafficking of women and children recently, though the police have continued fighting such crimes for years," said Zhang Xinfeng, vice minister of public security at a meeting.

The nationwide crackdown will last from April to December this year, he said.

Police must carefully investigate residents to identify women and children victims and rescue them, he said.

They were also asked to collect information about possible victims and tightly follow leads, he said.

The police will also crack down upon those who seduce or force children to beg on streets or commit crimes, especially those masterminding such gangs, he added. 

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2009)