CHINA AGREES TO REGIONAL APPROACH

China and Thailand have agreed that drug control measures are a collective responsibility of all regional countries, said Deputy Foreign Minister M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra after returning from talks in China.

He said the two sides agreed narcotics are a serious threat to the security of the two countries as well as a crime against humanity.

The Thai delegation met the deputy minister of internal security Bai Jingfu, deputy foreign minister Yang Jiechi and state counsellor Mr Luo Gan in Beijing on Monday.

They also held talks with Yunnan governor Li Jiating and vice-governor Li Han Bai.

China vowed to engage in closer suppression efforts in the areas of information exchange and the suppression of transhipment of precursor chemicals, particularly ephredine used in methamphetamine production.

The Thai delegation also proposed an exchange of drug liaison officers at respective embassies.

China confirmed it will participate in an international drug suppression congress Thailand is organising with the UN Drug Control Program for October.