BEIJING - Chinese citizens will now have bigger reasons to become active participants in the "people's watch" against terrorism, after the Ministry of Public Security instructed local public security bureaus to offer more substantial rewards to whistleblowers.

In the notice, the local security offices were ordered to finalize plans on rewarding citizens more efficiently.

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Following the notice, Shenzhen, in South China's Guangdong province, announced it was offering up to 500,000 yuan (around US$80,000) to those who report on terrorism. There will be no limit for the cash reward if the information offered is significant and exceptional.

Li Keming, a spokesman for the Counter-Terrorism Office at the ministry, said the notice was made to sharpen the public's awareness on the anti-terrorism campaign.

"The situation on fighting terrorism is more crucial now than ever," he said. "Some people may drop the idea if they think reporting something has little to do with them, but people will make a phone call if they know there is a reward of up to 500,000 yuan."

More cities have also announced new reward amounts for information providers. In Beijing, rewards range from 1,000 to 10,000 yuan to those who offer "useful clues," 20,000 to 30,000 yuan for those who offer "important information" and above 40,000 yuan for those who offer "significant information."

The capital also has implemented an elaborate  intelligence reporting system in which street vendors and community workers can easily access official numbers to report on suspected terrorist acitivities.

Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, anti-terror whistleblowers are rewarded with both cash and credit. Any citizen can exchange 100 accumulated credits for 5,000 yuan in cash.

In Henan province in Central China, the rewards range from 2,000 to 50,000 yuan. The local security bureau may also legally charge any witness who withholds information and fails to report suspected terrorist activities.

Citizens may report suspected terrorism when they witness any of the following six situations: planning terrorist activities, carrying out terrorist activities, assisting terrorist activities, illegal weapons manufacture, promoting terrorism and suspicious behavior.

Clues may be reported by writing a letter, calling the 110 police hotline, going to public security offices and sending e-mails, among other means.

Local police have been ordered to safeguard the identity of a whistleblower or information provider. Officers could be punished if they  neglect and fail to protect the information provider.

TagsChina anti-terror