State Councilor Meng Jianzhu on Sunday called on the armed police to enhance capacities in tackling emergencies and terrorist attacks so as to ensure a safe World Expo.

Meng, also Minister of Public Security and first political commissar of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, made the remarks while watching a drill conducted by the armed police in the World Expo host city Shanghai.

Armed police should focus their work on coping with complicated situations at any time and effectively bring under control all sorts of complexities, he said.

Armed police should be rigorous, fair and civilized when enforcing the law, and at the same time be rational, even-tempered and conform to their professional standards, Meng said.

China's armed police force had made contributions to safeguarding public safety during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China last year, he said.

The World Expo, to be hosted by China for the first time, is scheduled for May 1 to Oct. 31. To date, at least 192 countries and 50 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the global feast that will present the latest advances of architecture and engineering worldwide.