Chinese president warns of social instability

The Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, has told the police they must do more to ensure social stability, as China steps up its programme of economic reform.

Mr Jiang said it was the duty of government and Communist party officials to maintain public order so that recent economic achievements aren't lost.

He described 1998 as a crucial year for China to bring to fruition the spirit of a recent party congress where Mr Jiang introduced a wide-ranging programme of reform for loss-making state industries.

Correspondents say streamlining the vast state sector is going to result in huge job losses.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service