Chinese authorities have admitted they are struggling to cope with a
"rampant" illegal market in explosives and small arms, as they launched a
crackdown.
A visitor checks Chinese-made guns at an
exhibition of police equipment organised by China's Ministry of Public
Security in Beijing May 25, 2006. [Reuters] |
"At present the public security situation concerning explosives, guns and
ammunition is not optimistic," public security ministry spokesman Wu Heping told
journalists at a briefing to announce details of the four-month crackdown.
The number of explosions, the theft of explosives and criminal activities
using illegally made guns were posing problems for police and public safety, he
said.
Xu Hu, a deputy director at the public security ministry. said the
underground explosives and gun-making industries were becoming increasingly
sophisticated, fueled by huge profits on offer.
China to crack down on illegal explosive, gun
industries. [AFP] |
"At present the most important problems are the illegal trafficking in
explosives and the relatively rampant activities involving arms and ammunition,"
Xu told the briefing.
"As the state restrictions on guns is very strict and the legal channels of
obtaining guns limited, there is a certain market for illegally manufactured
firearms and the technology for making guns has improved," Xu said.
"Legal factories are now providing gun parts to illegal gun makers and
traffickers who are making better and more lethal firearms."
The explosives industry faced a similar situation, especially as illegal coal
mines seeking to cash in on China's rising demand for energy were turning to
illegal traffickers for their explosives, he said.
"There is a large demand for illegally made and trafficked explosives," Xu
said.
"A lot of criminals are seeking big profits and they are ignoring risks and
brazenly engaging in the illegal activities of making and trafficking
explosives."
As part of the crackdown, authorities intend to target the legal
manufacturers of explosives to ensure they do not sell their products on the
black market.
Chinese courts reported in March the number of criminals sentenced last year
rose by 10 percent year-on-year.
