BEIJING — China has strengthened the use of high tech, including video surveillance and unmanned aerial vehicles, to find illegal border-crossers in the containment of cross-border novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission, an official said on April 27.

Liu Haitao, with the National Immigration Administration (NIA), made the remarks at a press conference on China's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Noting that the diverse natural conditions along China's land border and intensive cross-border exchange have brought challenges to epidemic prevention, Liu said the use of high-tech facilities could enable real-time monitoring and early warnings of illegal cross-border activities.

Stressing the cooperation with local administrations, Liu said the NIA guided its subordinate units in border areas to motivate residents to reinforce border inspections in the prevention of illegal cross-border travel, Liu said.

Police forces also intensified patrols to combat criminal activities, including illegal entry and exit, smuggling and drug trafficking, Liu added.