China's active participation in international anti-drug cooperation has been effective in curbing the illegal trafficking of narcotics at home, a senior police officer said in Beijing Thursday.  

Last year China launched 38 anti-drug campaigns in joint efforts with Myanmar and Laos, seizing 281 kg of heroin, 8 kg of methamphetamines ice and 429 kg of opium, said Luo Feng, deputy director of National Narcotics Control Commission, at a meeting of the commission.

China also trained 115 drug-fighting professionals for Myanmar and Laos in the past two years and held bilateral anti-drug meetings with neighboring countries, such as Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar in 2003.

"China will continue to collaborate with these countries and play a bigger role in the international community this year," said Luo, also vice minister of public security.

Luo said China will further promote the development of regional mechanisms such as the anti-drug action plan it signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the memorandum of understanding on anti-drug cooperation in the East Asia sub-region, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

While joining in the international campaign against terrorism and AIDS, China will contribute to resolving the drug problems in the "golden triangle" and "golden crescent" regions, and continue helping farmers in Myanmar and Laos to plant crops instead of opium traditionally grown in their farmland so they can still sustain a living.

China will also promote information sharing with the Philippines, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia Europe and the United States, and join hands with them in fighting against cross-country drug trafficking, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2004)