In 2002, Chinacontinued playing an active role in the field of the international narcotic drugs control, demonstrated its firm position on banning drugs. And China's drugs ban effort produced good result.

From 16-18 January, a cooperation meeting devoted to the drugs ban attended by China, Lao, Myanmarand Thailandwas held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Four decided that strengthening the capability to prevent and crack down on drugs along the Mekong-the so-called golden waterway, bringing to an end the joint survey along that river will be the first joint venture of the drugs ban cooperation mechanism of China, Lao, Myanmarad Thailand.

From 11-15 March, the 45thsession of the UN Committee on Narcotic Drugs took place in Vienna. Countries took part in the debate on the follow-ups to the Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of Illicit Drug Crop and on Alternative Development adopted by the 20thUN Special Session on drug control held in 1998, and discussed the reduction of demand for drug, illicit drug trafficking and supply as well as other related issues. The Chinese delegation played an active role in the debate and deliberation of the issues, gave a presentation of the measures taken by China in each domain concerning the drugs ban, the results scored and difficulties encountered as well as lessons to be drawn, and it was well received.

From 5-10 April, The Chinese police, in close collaboration with the Thai and Myanmar police as well as the US drug control agency, successfully cracked an extremely serious case(codenamed as 3/30) involving international drug trafficking.

From 20-22 May, China hosted the East Asia Sub-regional MOU senior official meeting in Beijing with success. It was attended by representatives from China, Lao, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia as well UN Drug Control Program. The gathering enabled the countries concerned to forge a new type of partnership in drugs ban effort. China's influence and status in the regional drugs control field has been further upgraded.

March and June 2002 China's National Narcotic Control Commission made a first attempt to train narcotic control officials for Myanmar and Lao by means of Yunnan public security specialty institute, thereby ushering the narcotic control cooperation between China and the other two countries to a new phase.

July 2002, China's National Narcotic Control Commission invested 300 thousand RMB to initiate alternative development assistance in North Myanmar. That was the first time a Chinese government agency was direct involved in such a project in that area.