China's first tourist police begins patrols in Hainan island

China's first tourist police began patrolling the southern island city of Sanya of Hainan province, which is major tourist resort.

Sanya Tourist Police is a special unit under Sanya Police, tasked with protecting the welfare of tourists while they are in the city.

The tourist police will be quick to respond, said Xu Bing, deputy director of Sanya Public Security Bureau.

"By establishing tourist police in the city, we hope tourists will feel protected while they are here," Xu said.

Sanya is a famous resort city situated on the southernmost tip of Hainan province attracting thousands of tourists from home and abroad.