Chinese police bureaus have heard a total of 47,711 petitions by May 29 since China launched a campaign to address accusations of police abuse on May 18, sources with Chinese Public Security Ministry said.

The leading officials of the ministry heard the reports Monday of the 20 inspection groups that were dispatched May 19 to supervise and check the performances of county-level bureaus.

Most local police chiefs met petitioners face-to-face in line with ministry requirements, according to the inspection group reports.

Of the 47,711 petitions, 7,695 have been solved completely during the face-to-face interviews, according to the ministry.

Bai Jingfu, the executive vice minister, stressed that all police bureaus should continue paying much attention to the campaign, which has received good responses from the people.

All 3,000 local Chinese police chiefs are required to receive petitioners for three months beginning May 18. It is the first time that so many police chiefs have been required to meet with petitioners since New China was founded in 1949.

The principle of the campaign is that every petitioner should be received by the bureau chiefs themselves and all petitions should be resolved or clearly explained, according to the ministry.

Source: Xinhua