New Chinese Law Authorizes Armed Police to Handle Terrorist Attacks, Riots

China's top legislature has passed the country's first law defining the role of the armed police, giving the force new duties and statutory authority to respond to security emergencies.

The Law on the People's Armed Police Force, or PAPF, mandates the mobilization of the 680,000-strong force to deal with riots, disruptions, serious violent crimes, terrorist attacks and other emergencies.

Our reporter Zhangcheng has more.

Addressing the closing meeting of the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, top legislator Wu Bangguo said the law clarifies the nature, command mechanism, responsibilities, duties and rights of the armed police force.

"The Law on the People's Armed Police Force offers solid legal backing for the armed police to complete the country's security tasks, maintain social stability and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of citizens and organizations."

The PAPF -- drawn from China's police force -- was founded in 1982 as an internal security force to provide services ranging from protecting important political figures to urban firefighting.

Under the dual command of the Central Military Commission and the State Council, the armed police played a key role in major events such as the Beijing Olympic Games last summer, the riots in Lhasa on March 14th of last year and the July 5th Urumqi riots.

Wang Shangxin with the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee says the new law specifically stipulates who the leadership of this armed force is.

"The State Council, or the Cabinet, and the Central Military Commission have the right to monitor, deploy and manage the force. But governments above county-level can request the engagement of the PAPF in security operations."

Armed police officers will patrol China's municipalities and provincial and regional capitals during "special periods" and take responsibility for the security of major transport lines and important public facilities.

The law says it will also be the force's duty to assist other law enforcement forces in arrest, pursuit and escort operations.

Meanwhile, the law prohibits PAPF troops from restricting individual freedom through detention, body searches or raids on individual residences without a legal warrant.

Tuo Chengxiang, a senior officer of the paramilitary army, says providing a clear legal basis and regulations for how the PAPF should serve the country's security affairs is a significant step.

"First, the armed police force will follow the regulation of the law to implement every mission. Second, the force will receive the supervision of governments at all levels, and the public. Moreover, we will severely punish those violating the law."

The law went into effect Thursday after being passed by the top legislature after its second reading and endorsed by President Hu Jintao.

Zhangcheng, CRI News.