Some 200,000 new video surveillance cameras are to be installed in the Chinese municipality of Chongqing between now and 2014, officials have confirmed.

According to the New York Times, the municipal government is to spend $781.6 million (£487.1 million) on an upgraded CCTV system.

Politicians claim that "310,000 digital eyes are still not enough" and further investment is needed to help tackle crime.

They point out that in Beijing and Shanghai, there are more than three million CCTV cameras in operation.

And they cite figures showing that 30 per cent of the criminal cases that police in Chongqing have solved in the last three months have been aided by surveillance footage, which they believes strengthens their argument for more cameras.

The news comes after Beijing's government announced plans to spend $845,000 (£526,000) on video surveillance systems, which would be installed in cinemas, karaoke bars and other major entertainment venues.

Posted by Roger Isaacson