BEIJING, June 15 -- China's Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun has called for enhanced efforts on a campaign to fight gang-related and organized crime.

Guo, also deputy head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a national conference on this issue Thursday.

Noting that the campaign is vital for a safe and stable environment for the 19th National Congress of the CPC later this year, Guo said the crackdown should be strictly carried out to maintain "high pressure" on organized crime.

The focus of the campaign should be crime in rural areas, Guo said.

He also stressed that efforts should be made to resolutely eradicate the "protective umbrella" and the economic base for such crime.

Supervision and regulation in key industries and areas should be promoted to rid them of organized crime, according to Guo.