BEIJING — China’s police will maintain a tough stance in a national operation against internet crimes to protect the interests of the people.

Zhang Hongye, vice-head of the online security department of the Ministry of Public Security, said this on June 13 at a press conference on the progress of the operation.

In one typical case in the campaign, police busted a criminal ring which was found to have used malicious software to evade the authentication system of an official online platform for hospital registration, amassed appointment quotas and sold them for profit, according to Zhang.

The operation also prevented 152 people from committing suicide.

“An increasing number of depressed people met through the internet and encouraged each other to commit suicide together,” Zhang said. “Also a few individuals intentionally lured and provoked people to commit mass suicide. They seriously undermined people’s safety and social stability.”

The police also dealt with online financial violations including using illegal online payment platforms for money laundering, according to Zhang.

The official said the online security forces at all levels will comprehensively improve their capability of internet security management to ensure a safe and healthy internet environment.