Yangtze River safer following crackdown on crimes

Police in China have solved more than 5,200 criminal cases and dismantled over 710 criminal organizations in a campaign launched in February to combat illegal fishing, sand mining, theft and smuggling along the Yangtze River.

During the campaign, dubbed "Safe Yangtze River 2024," more than 2,100 criminal cases of illegal fishing have been detected and resolved, according to Luo Ji, an official with the public security management department of the Ministry of Public Security, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday.

In January 2020, China introduced a fishing ban in 332 natural reserves and conservation areas along the river.

This ban was later expanded into a 10-year fishing moratorium in the river's mainstream and key tributaries, as well as in large lakes such as Poyang and Dongting lakes.

To ensure effective enforcement, the ministry has collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs to conduct special operations in spring and autumn. These operations target major illegal fishing activities, including cross-regional offenses involving high-powered speedboats, Luo said.

In addition to illegal fishing, police have cracked over 130 criminal cases related to sand mining in the Yangtze River, arresting over 600 suspects.

The Ministry of Public Security has also strengthened its cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Transport to regulate sand mining activities, directing special campaigns in key waters in Hubei, Jiangxi and Anhui provinces, Luo noted.

Moreover, the Ministry of Public Security launched a six-month campaign in April to combat theft and smuggling on the Yangtze River's waterways. This effort resolved more than 300 criminal cases involving 320 million yuan ($43.8 million).

One major case highlighted on Tuesday involved the capturing of 66 suspects in September for allegedly stealing marine fuel during bunkering operations. Police said the group had stolen more than 10,000 tons of fuel worth over 53 million yuan.

In another case cracked in July, 53 suspects, including a truck driver, were captured for allegedly stealing goods from 32 companies while transporting cargo from a port in Chongqing. The stolen goods were then sold for profit.

Luo emphasized that police will continue the "Safe Yangtze River" campaign to support the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Efforts will focus on dismantling organized and cross-regional criminal networks, he added.