Vietnam and China are expected to reach a new agreement on the fight against illegal drugs during their fourth bilateral meeting on drug control, which started in Hanoi on October 14.

According to the Standing Office for Drug Control (SODC) under the Ministry of Public Security, since the last meeting in China’s Hubei province in November 2013, Vietnam and China 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 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 cooperation mechanism with Yunnan province, 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 Vietnam uncovered 15 drug smuggling cases thanks to information provided by its Chinese counterpart, seizing over 21.2 kg of heroin.

Speaking at the meeting, Hoang Anh Tuyen, Deputy Head of the SODC, acknowledged that authorised agencies on both sides have yet to eliminate the transnational illegal drug trade between the two countries. Despite the authorities’ efforts, drugs and drug traffickers still enter into Vietnam from China.

He highlighted the need for both sides to increase the exchange of information and provide mutual support during criminal investigations.

Meanwhile, Liu Yuejin, Permanent Deputy Secretary-General of China’s National Narcotics Control Commission, stated that the majority of methamphetamines and heroin transported across the Vietnam-China border originated in the Golden Triangle, impacting on both countries negatively.

He shared the Chinese police force’s experience in running drug raids, while expressing his hope for a stronger partnership with Vietnam in this field in the future.-VNA