China today defended the deployment of armed patrols in its cities saying that the move would help with fast responses to rising incidents of violent crime like knife attacks.
Yan Zhengbin, vice head of the public security administration division of the Ministry of Public Security told China Central Television that the practice of deployment of armed patrols is being normalised in big cities and areas with "complicated public security situations" to make China safer.
Since Sunday, Shanghai police have been seen carrying guns and bullet casings as well as their usual handcuffs and batons in daily patrols, a move local authorities said was made after more than a month of personnel training and preparations.
Yan did not respond to a question on whether the practice was introduced as a response to the terrorist attack on March 1 in Kunming city, in southwest China's Yunnan province, although he added that such patrols are normal in many countries.
Thirty-three people were killed and 143 injured at the Kunming railway station after being slashed by knives by alleged Muslim Uyghur militants from the restive Xinjiang province.
Chinese police have patrolled with arms in the past, Yan added, citing hunts for fugitives and night patrols.
He also said armed policemen have been well trained in gun use and will only resort to actually drawing their guns in case of vicious crimes such as hostage taking, arson and bombings.
Chinese police generally do not carry guns and gun crime is rare in China, which has strict controls on firearms.
