The forest corps of China's armed police force have put out over 2,800 forest fires since 1999, said Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, at Tuesday's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the forest corps.

In addition, the corps has joined hands with local police and government departments to crack down on illegal cutting of trees, illegal hunting of wild animal, and smuggling of wild plants and logs, according to Hui, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

In his speech, Hui spoke highly of the important role of the forest corps in preventing forest fire control, protecting forest resources and developing the forest industry over the past decades.

Over the past 60 years, the corps has developed into a task force armed with modern equipment, and it has "well accomplished the sacred mission endowed by the Party and the people," he noted.

The corps has developed 36 kinds of fire-fighting equipment and logistic equipment by its own, according to the vice premier.

Also present at the ceremony was Jia Zhibang, director-in-general of the State Headquarters for Forest Fire Control, minister of the State Forestry Administration, and first political commissar of the forest corps.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)