A notorious criminal suspect is thought to be on the loose in the province, prompting Hainan police to take swift action to prove the island is no safe haven for crooks.

A man in his 40s named Li Guoyou is wanted on suspicion of attempting to sabotage a railway line in east China's Jiangxi Province a month ago.

As he is thought to be at large in Hainan, local police have issued an arrest warrant, Xie Zhiqiang, director of the Criminal Investigation Division of Hainan Provincial Department of Public Security, said yesterday.

The Ministry of Public Security put up a reward of 200,000 yuan (US$24,600) to anyone who may capture Li, or a 100,000 yuan (US$12,300) for information leading to his capture.

Li is suspected of trying to destroy railway tracks with the intent of derailing a passenger train. He purchased many illicit materials in the city of Ji'an in Jiangxi on March 21, setting his trap for March 24. However, railway officials spotted him driving off from the track on a red scooter and uncovered his plot.

Li's motive remains unclear.

"The case is a very serious and vicious one, as it threatened people's lives and State property," Xie said.

The ministry has urged police across the country to take effective and concrete measures to solve the case and detain the runaway suspect as soon as possible.

(China Daily April 27, 2006)