BEIJING — China had smashed 1,198 criminal syndicates in rural areas by the end of November amid a three-year nationwide campaign targeting organized crime and local bullies.

The figure accounted for 33.4 percent of the total criminal organizations bust during the crackdown which was launched in 2018.

Meanwhile, another 13,272 local bully groups had been destroyed during operations in rural areas, and 3,727 village bullies punished, according to figures released by the authorities.

A total of 41,700 village officials had been rooted out for harboring local bullies, criminal syndicates and other violations.