Police in southeast China's Fujian Province have taken measures in 19 villages to prevent illegal emigration this year.

Wang Xiaohong, deputy chief at the Fujian Provincial Department of Public Security, said Friday officials have suspended issuing passports to people in the 19 villages who apply for passports for overseas travel and visits to collateral relatives.

The villagers who apply for passports for other purposes including business, education and job are required to provide additional documents.

Wang said the villages, hot spots for illegal emigration, are all located in Mawei District, southeast of provincial capital Fuzhou.

"Police have strengthened human-smuggling detection measures on vessels and at customs. Police have also stepped up the manhunts for those suspected of involvement with human smuggling," Wang said.

He said one township and 32 villages in Fuzhou have so far been targeted for strict surveillance to prevent illegal emigration.

Police statistics show border police busted 427 Fujian stowaways from January 2009 to January 2010. The number was down 34.7 percent from the year before. Police also arrested 242 human smugglers during the period.

Source: People's Daily