Mr. Chairman,

For a long time, the international community has been engaged in a relentless struggle against illicit drugs, with encouraging results.  Nevertheless, we are still faced with a grim picture on the world drug scene.  While the deleterious effects of traditional heroine-typed drugs have yet to be removed, new stimulant-typed drugs are spreading rampantly. There is a growing tendency for drugs and drug-related transnational crimes to develop into cartels with international operations. The drug problem has already posed a serious threat to mankind's subsistence and development. Faced with this worldwide public hazard, all countries should continue to follow the principle of wide participation and shared responsibilities and fully implement an integrated and balanced strategy against drugs.  Only through the effective international cooperation, can the drug problem be addressed fundamentally.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to its fight against drugs. In 2001, China uncovered 110,000 cases of drug-related crimes, seized 13.2 tons of heroine, 2.8 tons of opium, 4.8 tons of ice and 2,070,000 MDMA pills, confiscated 208.2 tons of precursor chemicals. With
a view to obtaining the fundamental goal of "absolute prohibition of drugs",  the Chinese Government is making drug control one of its national  basic policies and has incorporated it into its program of national economic and social development. By integrating fully various means of law, administration, economy, culture, education and medicare, China has mobilized and organized all social forces to participate in the fight against drugs.  In combating drug-related criminal activities, China has stepped up its efforts in controlling the precursor chemicals, treating and rehabilitating the addicts, enhancing people's awareness of drug control, launching drug prevention and control education campaigns and establishing "Drug-free Communities" so as to minimize drug demand.  In recent years, the Chinese Government has also strengthened cooperation with its neighboring countries in drug control.  China has also helped these countries in drug control enforcement through such means as technical assistance, alternative development and exploring resources for developing tourism.

Mr. Chairman,

The Political Declaration and its related documents adopted at the twentieth special session of the General Assembly devoted to countering the world drug problem constitute important documents guiding the global fight against drug control in the 21 century.  We appreciate the achievements made by the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in recent years in implementing the follow-up to the session.  We support the efforts made by the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention in coordinating global drug control and helping all countries and regions in their fight against drugs.  The Chinese Government will continue to strengthen cooperation with the relevant UN agencies and to make positive contributions to facilitating worldwide fight against drugs.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.