The head of China's police authority on Thursday ordered a continued crackdown on crime gangs, as the police reported that it had broken up more than 3,000 gangs in the past 14 months.

"We should continue the fight and declare war on crime gangs to curb their rampant growth," said Zhou Yongkang, minister of public security, at a national televised conference.

Zhou ordered police across the country to ensure crime gangs do not spread, especially at a time when two big events -- the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Beijing Olympic Games -- are around the corner.

"Currently, crime gangs remain active and the national crackdown has entered a crucial stage," said Zhou, noting that the fight against crime gangs would be a "lasting task".

He said police would focus on gangs that organize prostitution, gambling and drugs producing and trafficking, gangs that tyrannize villages "with a protecting umbrella" - a Chinese metaphor indicating support from government officials.

Police have also been told to bust crime gangs that monopolize business and disturb the construction, transportation and mining sectors.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)