BEIJING - More than 1,300 trainers are prepared to teach local police officers to use firearms correctly, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

The ministry in March launched a program to train officers in the use of firearms in accordance with the law and regulations, and the first group of 30 trainers has been dispatched to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China.

Under the ministry's plan, about 10,000 trainers will teach qualified officers to use firearms, with each county-level region having three trainers on average.

Chinese police generally do not carry firearms as gun-related crime is rare in China, where gun controls are strict.

After a series of violent attacks sent shockwaves across the country, Chinese cities have stepped up security. Police in cities including Beijing and Shanghai and the provinces of Yunnan, Hunan, Guangdong and Heilongjiang have increased armed patrols on the streets.

While armed patrolling provides a sense of security for the public, gun misuse and accidents involving police firearms can also happen.

Police arms

Chinese police pistols were originally designed for combat and were of smaller caliber. The bullets could easily shoot through a target and hurt innocent bystanders.

In 2006, a revolver specially designed for the police was issued to law enforcement departments. With 9 mm metal and rubber bullets, it is less likely to cause collateral injuries in public places.

Professor Wang Lei of the People's Public Security University of China said customized firearms give officers more targeting options.

"The lives of criminals and suspects should also be respected," he said.

Another police weapon is the 38 mm anti-riot shotgun, which can fire tear gas, dye and stun grenades.

SWAT teams and armed police are also equipped with military weapons, such as the Type 95 assault rifle and Type 88 sniper rifle, to handle armed criminals and terrorists.