China's police head has urged the police at all levels to improve communication with the public and "properly handle emergencies" to maintain social stability.

In an article in Qiu Shi (Seeking Truth), the official magazine of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu said, "Properly dealing with mass incidents and emergencies concerned people's fundamental interests and the credibility of the Party and the government."

Meng said the police should put people's interests first and foremost, prevent the escalation of mass incidents, calm public concerns and encourage the public to appeal in a rational way.

"The police should enhance communication skills," said Meng.

The Internet should be a platform of communication between the police and the public.

Meng said police information release systems should be improved so that information and facts about emergencies and public incidents were released in time to ensure people's right to know.

He said public security was facing new challenges such as the increase in the number of crimes and public order problems, and hostile forces had used the Internet as a way to penetrate and sabotage society.