Chinese Police to Enhance Int'l Cooperation in Drug WarChinese police will continue to strengthen cooperation with their colleagues in other parts of the world to strike back against international drug crime.China's Public Security Minister Jia Chunwang made the above remarks when addressing to Tuesday's opening ceremony of the Fifth ICPO-Interpol Heroin Conference in Beijing. Jia said that as the planting, production and using of drugs are on the rise across the globe, law-enforcement departments in all countries are facing the challenge of rampant drug-related crimes. To root out this problem, governments of all countries, especially related law-enforcement departments, should strengthen their cooperation, he said. Statistics show that China's major drug problem is heroin trafficking from the Golden Triangle area bordering southwestern China. The unbridled narcotics dealing and use in the area has turned the country into a drug transporting channel as well as a victim of drug abuse. In 1999, the number of registered drug users in China amounted to 680,000, according to statistics. For many years, Chinese police have fought to block the flow of drugs from the Golden Triangle to the Chinese mainland, and have scored remarkable achievements, Jia added. Jia promised that the Chinese Government will continue to work together with countries bordering this area. In the meantime, it will reinforce collaboration with ICPO-Interpol and other international organizations. The conference attracted more than 200 representatives from over 60 countries and international organizations, including ICPO-Interpol secretary-general Raymond Kendall. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |