BEIJING, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Police departments around China will make strengthened efforts from now to the end of this year to nab criminals at large by using online wanted lists, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Monday.

Liu Jinguo, vice minister of the MPS, said in a videophone meeting concerning the "hunting convicts online initiative" on Monday, that the police will wage a "decisive battle" against criminals at large, in a bid to finish the initiative half a year ahead of schedule.

The MPS initiated the one-year initiative in May.