A special police force was set up on Wednesday in Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in a bid to fight riots and terror.

The special force, affiliated with the Hohhot Municipal Public Security Bureau, is composed of 240 police officers who have undergone special training, according to Cui Haiwei, director of the bureau.

The special force will also undertake work as security guards or patrol police for important occasions, Cui said.

"It's the first of its kind in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region," Cui said, adding that the special force is armed with themost advanced regular and high-end weapons in the country.

It was founded in light of the requirements of the Ministry of Public Security, Cui said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2005)