BEIJING - Vehicle safety checks will be carried out as part of a "zero tolerance" campaign, China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced on Tuesday.

The campaign, which begins Tuesday and will last until February, will focus on illegally refitted or assembled vehicles, especially school buses or transportation which carries passengers and dangerous freight, according to a circular jointly released by six ministerial agencies, including the MPS.

Authorities vowed "zero tolerance" and "strict law enforcement" toward any illegal practices.

Companies which violate relevant regulations could face penalties from having to suspend production, confiscation of illegally produced products, to a revoke of production or business license, according to the circular.

Vehicle security test agencies could lose their licenses if they issue inspection reports based on insufficient or fraudulent information.

The MPS also encouraged public tip-offs.

The campaign was launched after several cases of illegal sale or assembly of scrapped vehicles in Jiangxi, Hebei and Anhui, posing significant safety risks.