China's top security and law enforcement official Luo Gan on Monday visited the family of a Beijing traffic police officer, who was killed on duty last October, ahead of the Spring Festival.

Luo, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, shook hands with the son and the widow of Tang Chengwen.

"People miss their family members deeply on holidays," Luo said, quoting an old Chinese saying. "But we especially miss those who died protecting ordinary people's lives and ensuring social stability as the Spring Festival comes."

"Their bravery and determination to fight crime are qualities we should all learn about," he said, paying his respects to nearly 400 Chinese police officers who died on duty last year.

Tang was killed last October after being stabbed by two suspected thieves during a night patrol of the Mentougou District, in the southern suburbs of Beijing.

Later on Monday, Luo visited the offices of the Mentougou traffic police, urging them to work harder to ensure a safe environment for the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

Source: Xinhua