China cracks down on criminals' 'protective umbrella'

A Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) campaign has handled 162 cases, which involved 290 officials suspected of hiding crimes that jeopardized environmental resources, and food and drugs safety.

In the campaign, which lasted from March to October 2014, procuratorates at all levels tightened supervision to take down the "protective umbrella" shielding criminals, the SPP said on Tuesday.

Of the 290 officials, some have been prosecuted for dereliction of duty, while others await the completion of the SPP's investigation, the SPP said.

In total, 2,428 people have been procecuted on charges of faking food and drugs, frauding capitals for agricultural production, and environmental resource harm, with 1,350 already found guilty.

The SPP said that it will strengthen cooperation with administrative and public security offices to promote law enforcement and judicial work in the fields of environment and food and drug safety.