Over 8,200 detained as China launches year-long crackdown on organised crime

Chinese authorities have launched a year-long crackdown on organized crime, detaining over 8,200 suspects just 10 days after the top security official announced the campaign. The Ministry of Public Security revealed that the crackdown targets new forms of crime, such as online predatory lending, soft-violence debt collection, coerced consumption, and online harassment.

These crimes have become increasingly prevalent and disruptive to the economic and social order. Examples of recent arrests include 41 people in Henan province accused of extorting money through malicious complaints against online shops, and 27 suspects in Shandong province who caused traffic accidents to extort compensation. Chen Wenqing, secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, emphasized the need for research into the evolving characteristics and patterns of organized and gang-related crimes, and urged police to "turn the blade inward" to eliminate the protective umbrellas of officials allowing crime to occur.

The crackdown, which will conclude before the upcoming 21st National Congress of the Communist Party, is expected to feature a leadership reshuffle and a fourth term for President Xi Jinping. The People's Daily reported that organized crime cases have decreased and public safety has improved since the 20th party congress in October 2022.

The campaign will focus on emerging trends like local criminal gangs in towns and neighborhoods, as well as the sand and mining industries, and will address cybercrimes such as blackmail, illegal lending, unlawful debt collection, and forced consumption.