BEIJING - Police across China have been ordered to step up their war on crimes involving guns and explosives to safeguard social stability and public security.

Addressing a national conference on Monday, Huang Ming, deputy minister of public security, said police agencies at all levels must fully bear in mind the extreme importance of fighting gun and explosive-related crimes.

Huang urged coordinated efforts involving police in different sectors and regions to resolutely stem such crimes from surging and prevent major cases or accidents pertaining to guns and explosives.

Local police should prioritize cracking major cases, tracing the source and destroying underground factories and trading networks so to overawe the criminals, according to Huang.

The Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security have jointly issued a notice calling on all those involved in illegal activities regarding guns, ammunitions and explosive devices to turn themselves to local police by the end of May.

Citing the notice, an official statement issued Monday said those suspects who turn themselves in or hand over their guns and explosives, will receive a lighter punishment, while those who do not will be handled seriously in accordance with laws.

Those who provide shelter or cover to guns or explosive-related criminals or assist them in demolishing or fabricating evidence will be held accountable accordingly, according to the notice.

In addison, the notice appealed to the public for information or persuading fugitive criminals or suspects to turn themselves in.