A senior Chinese public security official said Sunday that all new police recruits will be posted to community stations to make local communities feel more secure.

During a trip to eastern Shandong Province, State Councilor and Public Security Minister Zhou Yongkang said China would streamline the public security system and put more officers on frontline duties to "safeguard harmony and stability in communities and rural areas".

Their performance will be evaluated mainly on the basis of public appraisals and the stability of the areas under their jurisdiction.

Zhou also pledged to improve police welfare and salaries and said cadres should be promoted from community stations.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2006)