China's Ministry of Public Security has urged police departments at all levels to strengthen supervision of public security and create a "favorable" social environment around the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday.

This year's holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated Sept. 22 to 24, and the seven-day National Day holiday will begin on Oct. 1.

"As the two holidays draw near, the flow of passengers, vehicles, cargo and funds are all becoming stronger, and various large-scale mass activities are more frequent... the security work faces severe challenges," said vice minister Huang Ming Wednesday at a meeting.

Huang noted that the ongoing Shanghai Expo and the upcoming 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, which is scheduled November 12 to 27, have added pressure as they are added onto the country's overall security work.

Huang instructed police nationwide to intensify patrols on busy streets, shopping malls, big markets, bus and railway stations, tourist attractions and other crowded places.

In addition, Huang urged strengthening the crackdown on major crimes such as telecommunications frauds, trafficking of women and children,, gambling, drugs and pornography.