The French government had invited them to protect and serve Chinese tourists
(Photo: AP)
Beijing: Chinese police will soon be seen patrolling the streets of Paris with their French counterparts to ensure the safety of tourists from the country following a spate of incidents of mugging and theft.
French Minister of Interior Bernard Cazeneuve said the French government has invited Chinese police officers to patrol Paris from this summer to protect and better serve Chinese tourists, official media here reported.
"In order to welcome lots of Chinese tourists, apart from enhancing patrols at scenic spots and on public transportation, French police will conduct joint patrols with their Chinese partners starting this summer," Cazeneuve was quoted as saying.
About 1.5 million Chinese tourists visited France and spent USD 798 million there, state-run China Daily reported.
Apparently the French government was keen to restore the confidence of Chinese tourists after a string attacks last year.
"We are in discussions with the French Interior Ministry and will release more details about the arrangement later," a senior Chinese official said.
It would be the first time that the Chinese police have appeared on streets abroad to help local officers combat crimes targeting Chinese tourists, the official said.
The unprecedented deployment, mostly in Paris, would include eight to 10 Chinese officers who are proficient in French.
They will conduct joint patrols with their French counterparts and help to communicate with Chinese tourists who need assistance, the Chinese official was quoted as saying.
Teams of two or three Chinese and French officers will also be used to step up patrols at tourist attractions including the Eiffel Tower and the River Seine, the official said.
"Once we receive reports or complaints about Chinese tourists being harmed, including theft and robbery, we will rush to the scene and assist French police in dealing with them. That includes helping with communication such as translation," he said.
Wu Xiaojun, a press officer at the Chinese embassy in Paris, said negotiations between the two countries on the arrangement were at an advanced stage.
In March last year, 23 Chinese tourists were robbed after dinner in downtown Paris.
The group's leader suffered facial injuries and the tourists had their passports, air tickets and cash stolen.
About 100 million Chinese tourists traveled abroad from 2010 to 2013, double the number for the previous three years.
( Source : PTI )
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