Chinese police have been warned against drinking excessively and making trouble, or visiting entertainment venues such as nightclubs, as authorities move to foster closer ties between the police and the public.

Police are not allowed to turn a blind eye to people's dangers and troubles, according to a three-point discipline issued by the Ministry of Public Security on Sunday.

The ministry said that a very few policemen do not enforce self-discipline and have even violated laws and regulations, which has tarnished the image of the police and seriously damaged ties between the police and the people.

According to the ministry, those who violate the three-point discipline will receive punishment ranging from confinement to removal from their posts. The superiors of those who break the regulation will be held accountable as well.

The move to promote fine work styles among the police came as part of a more comprehensive "mass line" campaign to boost ties between Communist Party of China officials, members and the broad masses while cleaning up undesirable work styles such as formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism and extravagance.

The one-year campaign was launched in June by Chinese leaders.