Cooperation over confrontation

China’s diplomatic strategies in tackling narcotics and narcoterrorism crimes

Annem Urshitha Sri | China Global Television Network

(Insert a picture of the delegate of China and the delegates of Laos, Myanmar, Thailand talking)

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As learnt from the discussions with the delegate of China of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), narcotics crimes in China are mainly due to its geographical location - “adjacent to major illicit drug productions” like those in the golden triangle (region where Myanmar, Thailand and Laos meet). National policies have been put in place to resolve this issue, such as the “People’s War on Drugs”. However, China still needs to remain steadfast and act for tomorrow so as to shift from reactive “crime control” to proactive “crime prevention”. Diplomatic relationships are important to achieve this, as it is essential for international co-operation to combat transnational criminal activities like drug trafficking. As such, this is what the delegate of China did.

The first way China acted internationally was by playing a major role in establishing an “International Precursor Chemical Control”. This measure enables state members - particularly the major chemical manufacturing and exporting nations (like Japan, Thailand, Cambodia and other countries) to track major shipments and suspicious transactions. - It is one way through which China maintains multilateral relations.

This measure suggests how China interacts with different countries of different interests to come together and make solutions that align with everyone’s needs. It showcases China’s diplomacy and cooperative nature as it was willing to hear other countries' problems and help them, thus maintaining good ties as an added benefit. Furthermore, this measure prevented the diversion of

nearly 2,600 tons, 500,000 litres, and 90,000 tablets of precursor chemicals, thus highlighting the effectiveness of this measure in reducing narcotics crimes.

The second way China globally contributed to the issue of narcotics was by working with other countries through corporations like the UNODC. They have done so by promoting initiatives like Belt & Road (BRI) and global governance participation. Participating, pledging and promoting in such initiatives has allowed countries to collectively combat synthetic drugs (like fentanyl precursors) originating abroad and protect their own population as well. This evidences the

tactfulness of China due to its’ decisive and impactful actions in helping to prevent the issue of narcotics crimes and distribution.

The third way was China’s cooperation with the Golden Triangle. The countries have worked together to eliminate the opium trade within their borders and focus on regional stability. They have partnered on Mekong River joint patrols in combating drug trafficking. China leads the anti-drug operations by using Chinese-supplied boats and technology to patrol the Mekong and intercept drug shipments.

This measure indicates how China had joined forces with other countries (like Laos, Myanmar and Thailand) to come up with solutions for their common problems, such that it would benefit all of them. It underscores China’s pragmatic approach to dealing with things sensibly, realistically and practically through mutual coordination and adept solutions. Furthermore, during the debate, the delegate of Lao PDR had mentioned how she was willing to “cooperate with China” while the delegate of China had also said that she was “willing to work with other countries” including Lao PDR, revealing the bilateral relationship that would further benefit the countries in tackling this issue of narcotics.

In closing, China has a history of narcotics trauma due to its geographical location with the golden triangle (Laos PDR, Myanmar and Thailand) where narcotics trafficking happens frequently. Through national measures, these crimes were significantly reduced; however, there is still a need to work internationally and prevent future crimes. As such, China has played a major role in establishing an “International Precursor Chemical Control”, worked with other countries through the UNODC and cooperated with the nations of the global triangle. Collectively, this has helped to reduce the diversion of precursor chemicals, allowed countries to combat synthetic drugs, and helped increase global security and stability.