Shenzhen's police, traffic, urban administration and armed police authorities will cooperate to crack down on illegal traffic in the city this year.

Illegal traffic has disturbed normal transportation in Shenzhen, and created many security risks, said Zhou Baojun, vice director of the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau's publicity department.

Zhou said the unfair competition between illegal taxis and legal ones has triggered massive demonstrations in previous years, as illegal taxis avoid paying taxes and registration fees to offer lower fares. Many drivers of unregistered vehicles have been attacked but dare not report it to police while others commit crimes by pretending to be legal, said Zhou.

The police have vowed to dramatically reduce illegal traffic around Shenzhen Railway Station, Huanggang Checkpoint, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, the entrances to high-way toll gates and individual checkpoints.

Criminal gangs controlling illegal traffic, and those driving vehicles with fake permits or without permits, scrapped vehicles, and vehicles that have been stolen or been involved in crimes will be the primary targets of the crackdown, according to the police authorities.

Editor: Yan