China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand Cooperation on Drug Control

China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand cooperation on drug control was initiated on the occasion that H.E. Mr. Zhu Rongji, Prime Minister of the People Republic of China visited Thailand during 19-22 May 2001 and met with H.E. Pol.Lt.Col. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand on 19 May 2001. Because of the serious epidemic of the narcotic drug in the Golden Triangle, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and China have been affected by the problem. Accordingly, the cooperation among these four countries was initiated. Beginning with the Senior Officials Meeting on 10-11 August 2001 in Yangon, hosted by the CCDAC and the Myanmar Government, the meeting prepared for the Ministerial Meeting which was held during 27-28 August 2001 in Beijing, China, by considering the agenda and preparing the Beijing Declaration and Press Release of the Ministerial Meeting. Besides, the Senior Officials Meeting also provided chance for the four countries to discuss and propose the future initiatives for their cooperation on supply reduction, law enforcement and demand reduction.

The Ministerial Meeting was opened by H.E. Mr. Luo Gan, State Councilor of China and chaired by H.E. Mr. Jia Chunwang, Commissioner of National Narcotics Control Commission and the Minister of Public Security. At the meeting, the Ministers:
       - expressed the firm commitment and determination of their Governments to drug control
       - recollected the positive cooperation and outstanding achievements that have been made under the existing sub-regional and regional drug control mechanisms
       - examined and discussed current drug situation and the practices and experience of domestic drug control efforts in detail, measures and models for future substantial cooperation
       - reaffirmed the necessity and urgency to further strengthen negotiation and develop more practical and closer bilateral, regional and international drug control cooperation at all drug control levels
       - discussed and adopted Beijing Declaration that guides the four countries' cooperation in the field of drug control henceforth.

Through the meeting, the Ministers of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand reached the following agreement:
       - To make concerted efforts to promote the existing regional drug control cooperation mechanisms such as Memorandum of  Understanding of six countries and UNDCP, Plan of Action between ASEAN and China and implement their initiatives;
       - To establish drug control partnership on the basis of the existing cooperation among the four countries and continue our mutual understanding, trust, coordination and support in addressing drug problems;
       - To recognize the importance of high level meetings and consultations for timely coordinating our positions on major international and regional issues, including issue of drug control;
       - To further strengthen our exchange and cooperation at operation and expert level within the existing drug control cooperation mechanisms, conduct substantive cooperation and provide mutual assistance and support in drug prevention education, drug law enforcement, information exchange, treatment and rehabilitation, precursor chemical control, alternative development and personnel training;
       - To undertake concerted efforts against the trafficking of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals with an emphasis on joint survey and surveillance activities along the Mekong River;
       - To exert joint efforts for continued financial, technical and other forms of assistance both within the countries and from
          the international community for the drug control cause in this region, and for more political, as well as moral support.

The Ministers of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand Governments fully believed that this meeting will promote further the drug control cooperation in the region and facilitate the existing drug control cooperation mechanisms such as MOU of six countries and UNDCP, ASEAN and China. The partnership of drug control cooperation established by the Beijing Declaration and the way of high level consultation and communication would be a successful example to other regions and the rest of the world.