BEIJING -- China's Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu on Tuesday expressed the determination of Chinese police to better protect the property and safety of Chinese nationals overseas.

"China will step up efforts in international police cooperation and firmly crack down on crimes encroaching on the rights and interests of Chinese nationals living overseas," Meng said at a meeting on a recent operation against violent crimes targeting Chinese nationals in Angola.

From July 19 to August 25, more than 400 armed Angolan police and Chinese police teams launched a joint raid against gangsters involved in violent crimes targeting Chinese nationals in Angola, including kidnapping, robbery, blackmail and forcing women into prostitution, the Ministry of Public Security said.

They rescued 14 Chinese victims and seized 37 Chinese suspects involved in the crimes, all of whom were sent back to China under police escort on Saturday, the ministry said.

The resolution of the Angola case has deterred criminals from targeting Chinese nationals in Angola and in other countries and regions, said Meng.

He urged Chinese police to learn from the Angola case and improve their capabilities in order to team up with their foreign counterparts to create a powerful joint force in cracking down on crimes.