China sets up special anti-terror police force in Guangzhou following knife-attacks

A knife attack in May at a Guangzhou train station had claimed the lives of six people.

GUANGZHOU: In a move to cope with the “severe and complicated situation” in China, a special anti-terrorism force has been set up in Guangzhou, the southern city of the country, according to Xie Xiaodan, head of the local public security bureau and vice mayor of the city, China's Xinhua News reported.

On May 6, a knife attack at a train station in the city claimed the lives of six people. This was the third attack at a crowded train station in China. Previously, knife-attacks had caused the deaths of 29 people, injuring 143.

A promise of rewards has been put forth by the city’s public security bureau to those who provide information on suspicious people or vehicles, as well as terrorist activities, to the “people’s war” against terrorism.

The rewards will be given based on the significance of the information provided, and those providing false information will be held accountable.

Announcements of similar nature have also been made in other cities of China, including Beijing.