The police in China solved bout 1.8 million criminal cases last year, or 41.8 percent of the 4.9 million that were filed. However, Assistant Minister of Public Security Zhang Xinfeng said, "Considering some criminal cases could not be filed properly or on time, China's criminal case resolution rate last year was only around 30 percent."

Zhang was speaking at a video teleconference held to mobilize the police nationwide to improve their ability to handle criminal cases.

"Although some achievements have been scored in safeguarding social stability and ensuring people a peaceful life, it should be soberly noticed that a gap exists between people's high expectations and police performance in dealing with criminal cases," said Zhang.

In addition to the low resolution rate, there are also problems such as known suspects remaining at large, brutal treatment of suspects and unlawful extension of incarceration. Some police officers even collaborated with criminals, said Zhang.

Last year, 39 Chinese police officers lost their lives and 2,676 were injured in the line of duty. "Their loyalty to the people and profession should be cherished, but the large number of deaths and injuries is partially attributable to the poor physical condition and slack exercise programs of the police," said Zhang.

The Ministry of Public Security conducted physical fitness examinations of 394 police officers in provinces and municipalities of Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jilin, Liaoning and Tianjin last year. Seventy percent failed to meet the ministry's fitness standards.

The ministry also randomly picked 400 front-line officers to have physical examinations last year. It found that 30 percent of them suffered cardiovascular disease, 40 percent had high blood pressure, or hyperlipemia; 30 percent were afflicted with gastroenteric disease; and 16 percent had hepatitis.

Crime scene investigation skills were also weak, said Zhang. He said that investigators successfully obtained suspect fingerprints in less than 10 percent of the last year's criminal cases.

In a bid to improve physical and investigative fitness, the Ministry of Public Security has launched an intensive nationwide training course. Later this year, the ministry will dispatch several traveling inspection teams to check the results of training.

(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2004)