Children enjoy their time at a kindergarten in Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 25, 2026. (Photo: VCG)

China reported a decline in criminal and public security cases in the first half of 2026, with criminal cases down 16.5 percent and public security violations dropping by 11.3 percent from a year earlier, the Ministry of Public Security said on Friday.

Qi Yanjun, vice minister of public security, said the country's improving public safety situation has drawn attention overseas, with some social media users discussing what they describe as China's "sense of security."

Crimes such as theft, robbery and fraud saw a sharp decline, with 307,000 cases filed in the first half of the year, down 38.9 percent from a year earlier.

The number of homicide cases fell to its lowest level on record, Qi said.

During the same period, police investigated 1,744 cases involving organized crime. Public satisfaction with the country's ongoing campaign against organized crime has risen for three consecutive years, according to the ministry.

Since October 2025, reported cases of telecom and online fraud have declined year on year for nine consecutive months, the ministry said.

Road safety conditions remained generally stable nationwide, with major traffic accidents down 8.8 percent from a year earlier.