BEIJING -- China formally authorized paramilitary forces to handle riots, terrorist attacks and other social disturbances under a law passed Thursday, reflecting the government's heightened concerns with stability ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1.

Chinese paramilitary police, shown in the city of Urumqi in July, helped to quell clashes in the region between Muslim Uighurs and Han Chinese Reuters

The law, which takes effect immediately, provides a legal framework for activities the People's Armed Police have long engaged in. Last month, the force played a prominent role in quelling riots in Xinjiang, the far-west region where Muslim Uighurs clashed with Han Chinese, killing at least 197 people.

China has been taking steps to increase security ahead of the important 60th anniversary, for which Beijing is planning large celebrations. The Xinjiang unrest added to fears that anniversary celebrations could be disrupted by groups opposing the government. This week, President Hu Jintao made his first trip to Xinjiang since the riots, where he urged security forces to maintain stability in the restive region.

Normally, new laws are subject to at least three readings by China's top legislature, the National People's Congress, before they are passed. The armed-police law was passed after only the second reading in the legislature's bimonthly meeting this week.

Under the legislation, county-level governments will no longer be authorized to call up armed police. Instead, the mobilization and deployment of armed police will be centralized and fall under rules to be issued by the State Council and Central Military Commission. The change is an apparent bid to prevent small protests from escalating into confrontations between villagers and paramilitary forces, whose presence would sometimes inflame tensions.

Paramilitary police official Tuo Chengxiang salutes the audience as he is introduced before the start of a media conference in the Great Hall of the People at Beijing's Tiananmen Square. Reuters

The law also aims to add greater procedural protections for citizens, prohibiting illegal searches, seizures and arbitrary detentions by the armed police and explicitly ordering them not to cover up crimes.

The People's Armed Police was established in 1982 as an internal security force to protect politicians, infrastructure and resources and has about 680,000 members, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Over the years it has taken on a broader range of duties. It has also been involved in disaster-relief efforts and in missions such as protecting the Olympic torch during last year's world-wide relay.

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