Download
China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand launch action against traffickers
Narcotics officers assigned to a four-nation campaign against smuggling on the Mekong River say reducing red tape and improving communication is boosting the war on drugs.
China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand launched the action on April 19, aiming to protect merchant sailors and residents along the major trading route through Southeast Asia.
It involved setting up a command center staffed by drug enforcement agents from all four countries in Yunnan province's Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture.
The base is used to share intelligence and analysis, and plan actions during the campaign, which runs until June 20.
"It is a great benefit to cooperation between the countries," said Lan Weihong, a Chinese officer with the Ministry of Public Security's Narcotics Department, who is stationed at the command center.
Occupying a 20-square-meter room on the second floor of a hotel in Jinghong, the center is staffed by more than 10 officers. Two maps of the Mekong River and the four countries hang on its walls.
"The campaign has helped us learn more about drug trafficking in each country and is convenient for us to get feedback," Lan said. "We can quickly verify information, much faster than before."
Previously, he explained, if Chinese border police uncovered evidence of drug trafficking or needed help from the neighboring countries, they had to draw a draft outline of their investigation and send it to their counterparts over the border.
"Now we sit in the same room and talk directly with each other," he said.
According to the ministry, the campaign could be the start of regular cooperation among the four countries.
Boumphong Inthavong, an officer from Laos, said he hopes it is, explaining that he has gained invaluable experience in his month at the center.
"I used to have to send information involving China to our narcotics bureau first, then communicate with China through our foreign affairs departments," he said.
Taspong Wattanayagorn, from Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board, agreed and said the cooperation has proved the most effective way of fighting drugs in his 18-year career.
"The information exchanges save time," he said. "We talk face to face instead of handing documents between governments, which is better."
His job at the center is to collect clues and relate feedback from the Thai government.
"Language is not a big problem, as we have good translators. I'm also trying to learn Chinese," Wattanayagorn said, showing his determination to make the campaign a long-term effort.
"Thailand will do an evaluation of the cooperation after the campaign ends. If we feel it has been effective in fighting drug trafficking, we'll push on," he said.
Chinese officer Lan agreed and said making the campaign regular needs the backing of all four countries, as well as detailed plans and funding.
So far the campaign has resulted in 560 cases of drug trafficking being uncovered, with 812 suspects arrested, according to the Ministry of Public Security.
Police from the four countries have seized 1,931 kilograms of drugs, including heroin, opium and methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, as well as firearms.
A drug processing plant in Myanmar was also destroyed under the cooperation between Myanmar and China on May 12, which led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of 20kg of ice, according to the Ministry of Public Security. Police from the two countries also confiscated a handgun, and equipment and raw materials to make drugs, it said.
"The campaign is a threat to drug traffickers," said Yu Haibin, a police officer of the department.
"Ensuring safety on the Mekong River is always in the minds of the four countries, and the campaign is a good way to do it," he said. "However, this is just the first step and we need to do a lot more in the future."
About the broadcaster:
Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.
国际奥委会公布2020年奥运会3申办候选城市名单
教师的烦恼(视频)
李开复俞敏洪电视英语携手亮相 幽默教学
林书豪搞怪视频:教你如何上哈佛(中英)
老外吊丝12类人超强模仿:各国各地域惟妙惟肖(视频)
英语听力:170余幅农民工画像走进绘画艺术展
英语听力:世界卫生组织号召全球履行禁烟
英语视频听力:黄河壶口瀑布吸引游客前往
China releases 1st report on danger of smoking
这就是新东方英语篮球营的魅力
柴静首次英语采访献给卡梅隆 被赞"强悍的访问者"
英语听力:美国19岁男生为同性恋婚姻的辩护(视频)
听力练习:考古学家在安阳古墓中发现完好无损壁画
英语听力:马来西亚巧克力糖果乐园 陪孩子们过假期
TED演讲视频: 朱莉娅斯威尼和女儿的“谈话”
英语听力视频:欧洲旅游公司将希腊排除出欧洲区
英语听力视频:扎克伯格谈Facebook盈利秘诀
英语听力视频:舞者们加紧进行奥林匹克运动会排练
学习伦敦奥运会的礼节
牛人超强英文解说:10分钟了解中国(视频)
英语听力视频:英国女王钻石银禧庆典举行
英语听力视频:比尔•盖茨向中国人民拜年(双语)
英语听力视频:新发现揭开2012年世界末日的神话
英语听力视频:俄罗斯的艺术工艺品中心
英语听力:奥巴马在巴纳德学院毕业典礼上的讲话
英语听力视频:西藏先心病儿童来京手术
Olympic torch scales Snowdon in Wales
英语听力:第21届国际木偶节于成都开幕
英语听力:世界最高电视塔在东京开放
英语听力:中国南方多地遭遇强降雨袭击
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |