Police forces across China must be mobilized to ensure National Day celebrations in October go safely and smoothly, Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu said on Monday.

"Security is currently our top priority," Meng said at a ministry teleconference.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Meng urged police forces to carefully guard against and relentlessly crack down on sabotage activities carried out by hostile forces from both home and abroad, in order to protect China's national security and social stability.

Special attention should be laid on combating terrorism, Meng said, adding that "attempts of violence and terrorism must be foiled before they are turned into real actions."

"We should make sure everywhere in China is secure and stable, " Meng said.

He urged police departments at all levels to push forward a stability campaign launched by the Ministry of Public Security in March this year.

The stability campaign includes the nationwide crackdown on explosives, gun-related crimes and the trafficking of children and women.

By the end of last month, more than 50,000 guns and nearly 900 tonnes of explosives had been confiscated and destroyed by police, the ministry said.

Meng also urged the police to help resolve disputes among the people, and to recruit volunteers from the public to help keep social security.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2009)