Tangshan announces sweeping anti-crime campaign

Tangshan in North China's Hebei province launched a campaign on Sunday to improve public order, targeting criminal activities that spur strong emotion from the public and have adverse influence on society, including intentional injury, extortion, drug abuse and cyber crime, local authorities announced on Sunday afternoon after a meeting.

The move came after an assault case on Friday in the city which provoked a big stir online and aroused anger from the public.

Nine suspects were arrested on Sunday and two female victims were at hospital for treatment, with no life-threatening injuries.

The campaign will last half a month in the city and all its counties, with an aim to further purify the public security environment, spare no effort to ensure the safety of people's lives and property and effectively improve their sense of security.

"We will be merciless in punishing the criminals," local authorities stressed.