Statement by H.E. Ambassador Liu Zhenmin, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, at the Third Committee of the 64th Session of UNGA on Crime prevention , criminal justice and International drug control ( Items 104 and 105)

(7th October 2009, New York)

Mr. Chairman,

Over the past year, the international community has continued to achieve positive results in preventing and combating transnational crimes. The UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the UN Convention against Corruption and the three conventions on narcotic drugs (1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) have established the international legal regime for preventing and combating transnational crime and laid down the basis for global governance architecture. Discussions among the parties on the return of corruption-related assets under the Convention against Corruption and the implementation mechanism of the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime have steadily developed in depth. Meanwhile, however, international terrorist activities, transnational organized crime, and drug production and trafficking are interwoven, with their global, syndicating, networking and diversified characters becoming ever more prominent. The international community still has a long way to go in system and capacity building in the area of preventing and combating transnational crime.

Mr. Chairman,

Strengthening international cooperation is the fundamental way to effectively prevent and combat transnational organized crime. Such cooperation should be based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit. Consideration should be given to the needs of the developing countries and efforts made to help them with their capacity building. Countries should endeavor to tap the potentials of carrying out cooperation under the relevant conventions in such fields as extradition, judicial assistance, asset recovery and technical assistance. China supports the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in continuing to play an important role in facilitating international cooperation against transnational organized crime, integrating resources and assisting developing countries in capacity building.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Government has consistently fulfilled its obligations under the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Convention against Corruption in an active, conscientious and comprehensive manner. In order to implement the relevant provisions of the two conventions, it has taken necessary measures in the legislative, executive and judicial areas and actively engaged in international cooperation. Last February, China adopted the Amendment to the Criminal Code to further improve its criminal penal system regarding such offenses as corruption and human trafficking. To date, China has signed with over 50 countries 106 treaties on judicial assistance. We are ready to enhance exchanges and share experience with even more countries.

The Chinese Government is firmly against the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons. It exercises strict control over the export of small arms and light weapons in keeping with its international obligations and its domestic laws and regulations. We are willing to continue our support for and active participation in regional and international efforts against the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.

Mr. Chairman,

While the international community has achieved some positive results in the control of narcotic drugs, it is still confronted with formidable challenges. At the global level, although the production of cocaine and heroine has registered a decline and the market for cannabis and opiate usage is shrinking, the manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of new drugs continue to grow unabated; the loss of precursor chemicals remains a serious problem; sustainable alternative development activities lack adequate funding and drug abuse among the youth is getting worse.

A proper solution to the drug problem hinges on the efforts of all countries themselves and, even more so, the cooperation of the international community. China supports the Political Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in March which set out new targets and programme for drug control. China appreciates the work done by UNODC and the International Narcotics Control Board. We encourage UNODC to continue to increase dialogue and consultation with donors, recipients and other interested countries and institutions with a view to helping the countries concerned to address their specific drug problems.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Government has always insisted on a comprehensive ban on drugs. In light of China's specific situation, we have formulated an integrated, comprehensive and balanced national drug control strategy. In 2007, the Chinese Government promulgated the Drug Control Law, which clearly defines the working mechanism of the national strategy. China has all along adhered to the guideline of strict control of precursor chemicals and resolutely cracked down on their trafficking and illegal trade. The Chinese Government pays particular attention to drug prevention education for youth and teenagers, taking such education for middle and primary school students as a fundamental project in the drug control endeavor.

The Chinese Government attaches great importance to international cooperation in drug control and is an active player in various international and regional cooperation mechanisms against narcotics-related crimes under, inter alia, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the East Asia Sub-regional Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control, and Paris Pact Process. It has actively assisted some of its neighbors in launching alternative crops cultivation to replace poppy and such efforts have achieved remarkable results in some places. China has also carried out pragmatic cooperation with the United States and European countries in drug control enforcement, exchange of information and training. The Chinese Government will further enhance, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, its cooperation with the rest of the international community in drug control, consolidate the hard-won gains in this area and work relentlessly for an early elimination of the scourge of narcotic drugs.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.