VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam and China are expected to reach a new agreement on their common fight against illegal drugs at their fourth bilateral meeting on drug control which began here yesterday.

According to the Standing Office for Drug Control (SODC) under the Ministry of Public Security, since their last meeting in China's Hubei province last November, Viet Nam and China have worked together to devise a joint action plan to tackle drug crimes along their shared border.

The police forces of seven Vietnamese border localities and the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi organised a number of meetings to exchange information on organised crime.

Meanwhile, police departments in Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces agreed on a co-operation mechanism with Yunnan, according to the office.

Since 2013, the Yunnan police force has handed over four wanted drug traffickers while Lang Son province helped capture a fugitive drug criminal from China.

At the same time, the Customs of Viet Nam uncovered 15 drug smuggling cases based on information from its Chinese counterpart and seized more than 21.2kg of heroin.

At the meeting, Hoang Anh Tuyen, SODC deputy head, acknowledged that concerned agencies of both countries have yet to eliminate the flourishing transnational illegal drug trade along their borders. In spite of authorities' efforts, drugs and drug traffickers still enter into Viet Nam from China.

Tuyen highlighted the need for both countries to intensify their exchange of information and provide mutual support during criminal investigations.

Liu Yuejin, permanent deputy secretary-general of China's National Narcotics Control Commission, said a majority of methamphetamine and heroin transported across the Viet Nam-China border originated from the Golden Triangle and had a negative impact on both countries.

Liu shared the Chinese police force's experience in running drug raids while expressing hopes of a stronger partnership with Viet Nam in this field in the future.

VNS/VNN