A total of 4,743 abducted children and 8,703 women were rescued by Chinese police over the past year, a statement from the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said Wednesday.

As of May 10, Chinese police had solved 5,221 cases of abduction of women and 3,519 cases of child abduction, arresting more than 12,000 suspects, the statement said.

The MPS launched a special campaign in April 2009 to fight abduction and people trafficking.

The MPS made it clear in the campaign police should launch an investigation immediately after children are reported missing.

The ministry also put people traffickers on its wanted list and set up a DNA databank to help parents find their missing children.