The apprehended include people accused of setting explosions, homicides, kidnappings and robbery, said Deputy Director-General Huang Zuyue of MPS' Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Among the higher profile cases was that of Zhu Xijiang, believed to have slain his wife and nephew and attacking his stepsister. Zhu was arrested by Tianjin police.

The campaign included the public security bureaux around China listing wanted suspects on the Internet, Huang said.

Zhejiang Province police arrested 1,183 web-wanted criminals during a two-day effort in late September. Hubei Province police picked up 950 suspects and resolved 1,632 criminal cases.

The campaign was financed by a 1.1 million yuan (US$133,000) grant to pay 109 outstanding policemen and members of the public who provided helpful information, MPS officials said.

Nearly 1,300 escaped convicts or suspects surrendered to the police voluntarily during the effort. More than 100 people each surrendered in Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu and Henan provinces, the ministry said.

Another round of crackdown is coming soon, Huang promised.

(China Daily October 18,2001)