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Statement by Mr. Xie Bohua, Counsellor of the Chinese Mission to the UN, at 3rd Committee of the GA 59th Session on Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and Narcotic Control (Item 96, 97)

2004-10-08 00:00


Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation has studied the Secretary-General's report on crime prevention and criminal justice and listened carefully to the statement by Mr. Costa, Director General of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. We appreciate the positive role played by the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, especially the adoption of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the UN Convention against Corruption.

With the entry into force of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the two protocols against the smuggling of migrants and against trafficking in persons, a milestone has been reached in the fight against transnational organized crime. The international community expects the Convention to play a positive role. The UN Convention against Corruption, which was opened for signature at the end of 2003, represents a major step forward by the international community and reflects the firm resolve and solemn commitment of all countries to the fight against corruption. The Convention constitutes a legal basis for the international endeavor against corruption and will further promote international cooperation in this area.

The Chinese Government always attaches great importance to crime prevention and anti-corruption. China ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and signed UN Convention against Corruption in 2003. Moreover, China concluded a large number of bilateral judicial assistance treaties with other countries. It is our hope to put all the provisions of the Convention into practice, which requires cooperation and exchanges among countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Regarding the issue of anti-corruption, in an integrated approach to address both the causes and symptoms of the problem and adhering to the principle of being democratic, open, fair and just in our mode of operation, we have adopted legislative, judicial and law enforcement measures to prevent and fight against corruption. A sound anti-corruption framework and a healthy anti-corruption culture are now in place, with legislative, judicial and executive departments working in tandem and with the participation of governments, civil society and citizens. The Chinese government is ready to further strengthen international cooperation in this regard for an early entry into force of the UN Convention against Corruption.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese delegation has taken note of the introduction of the international drug control situation in the report of the Secretary-General. We commend the UNODC for its active work in coordinating and providing assistance to national efforts to control narcotic drugs.

Since the twentieth special session of the General Assembly in 1998, the international community has further strengthened the efforts on drug control, promoted the international cooperation and achieved the fruitful outcomes. However, just like the Secretary-General pointed out in his report, the international situation on drug control is far from optimistic. The production of and trade in narcotic drugs continue a spiral climb and novel drugs have multiplied. As the number of drug addicts remains high, the spread of drug-related HIV/AIDS continues unabated. Drug-related crimes are intertwined with transnational crimes such as terrorism and money laundering. In order to resolve the problem effectively, all countries should adhere to the principle of "international solidarity and shared responsibilities", and on the basis of equality and mutual respect, vigorously engage in international cooperation in drug control, combat drug-related crimes and accelerate research on alternative development. Developed countries should take measures to reduce demand for narcotics and assist developing countries in the areas of financial resource and technology.

The Chinese government, standing firm in completely prohibiting drugs, has formulated an integrated and balanced national strategy on drug control and mobilized the whole society to take part in the fight against narcotic drugs. Under the active guidance and education provided by the government, public awareness of the necessity of drug control is higher and the increase of new drug addicts has slowed down. The establishment of "drug-free communities" is well underway with noticeable results in the fight against drug-related crimes. The alternative development has been promoted. From 1998 to 2003, China cracked down 546,900 drug-related criminal cases, arrested 250,100 drug-traffickers, confiscated 51.03 tons of heroin, 52.43 tons of crystal methamphetamine, 14.73 tons of opium, 1412.5 tons of precursor chemicals and eradicated over 500 acres of illegally planted opium poppy. Since 2000, the Chinese Government has implemented preferential market access policy for alternative development products in foreign areas and exempted 2.4 million US Dollars of custom tariff from those products each year.

The Chinese government supports and promotes international cooperation against the world drug problem and has actively participated in the various activities sponsored by the UN Drug Control Program and other relevant international organizations. China continues to promote the expansion of such mechanisms as "ASEAN plus China" and "Six Countries and Seven Parties", as well as a cooperation mechanism to cope with drug problems comprising the four countries: China, Laos, Burma and Thailand. China pays great attention to drug control in Afghanistan and supports and participates in the relevant cooperative programmes. Earlier this year, China, together with other six countries, subscribed the Kabul Good Neighborly Relations Declaration on Drug Control. China has also actively engaged in fruitful bilateral cooperation against drugs with other countries of the world. "

Mr. Chairman,

China's ancient poet Qu Yuan once wrote, "the way ahead is long, I see no ending, yet high and low I will search with my will unbending." The road to a drug-free world without crimes may be tortuous and arduous. However, China would like to cooperate with the international community to put the relevant conventions into practice and bring into full play the role of the UN in order to eradicate the negative impact of crime and drug on social development.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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