Chinese police are to be issued with a national standard identity card from Jan. 1, 2007, to offer the public more protection from bogus police officers.

Local identity cards will be abolished at the same time.

A Ministry of Public Security official said the national card would play an important role in regulating law enforcement activities and countering crimes committed by bogus police.

Except when laws and regulations allow police not to show identification, all officers should carry their cards on duty.

Members of the public who spotted fake or suspect identification, were encouraged to inform police by dialing the 110 emergency number.

The ministry would use the full force of the law on those illegally producing, selling, possessing and using police identification, the official said.

China currently has 1.6 million police officers.

Source: Xinhua