BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior Chinese official on Monday called on the public security departments to make down-to-earth efforts to safeguard national security and social stability in implementing the 11th Five-Year Program and building a harmonious and well-off society.

    Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang urged the public security departments at various levels to implement the policies and decisions of the central government for the target set.

    Zhou, also a member of both the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, said the leaders of public security departments should work hard and set examples in fulfilling the tasks.

    Zhou asked the public security officials to strictly and justly execute the law and work for the people

    He pledged to ensure a stable and peaceful New Year's Day and Spring Festival for the masses, which falls on Jan. 29, 2006.