BEIJING, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has reported a significant year-on-year drop in gun and explosive-related crimes, with cases dropping by 25.8 percent so far this year compared to the same period in 2023.
The decline follows the launch of a coordinated, three-year nationwide crackdown on firearm and explosives offenses that began last year, according to an MPS press conference held on Thursday.
The initiative has seen collaboration from multiple government departments and local agencies to curb illegal arms manufacturing, trade and trafficking.
Since the beginning of this year, police nationwide have solved 19,000 cases involving firearms and explosives, dismantled 54 criminal groups, and destroyed 237 sites linked to such illegal activities, said Qi Xiguo, deputy head of the public security management bureau of the MPS.
Public security authorities in Jiangxi and Hubei provinces and beyond have uncovered major illegal manufacturing and trafficking rings, leading to 34 coordinated national operations and the arrest of 831 suspects.
The ministry noted that China's unwavering efforts have allowed the country to enjoy one of the lowest rates of gun and explosive-related incidents worldwide. ■