Meeting at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China

Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC) team led by Director M. Khamidov met with a delegation from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan led by Chargé d'Affaires Mr. Cheng Kefan. Mr. Y. Kurbonov, UNODC International Programme Coordinator, also participated in the meeting.

During the talks parties discussed recent trends in drug trafficking in the region and worldwide, including the growing spread of synthetic drugs and transformation of illicit trafficking channels. It was underlined that transnational nature of drug threats requires consolidation of efforts by states and international organizations, expanded exchange of intelligence and analytical data, and joint practical activities.

Chinese counterpart confirmed that the PRC Government's “zero tolerance” policy on drugs remains unshaken and that it is committed to active international cooperation in this area. They also stressed the importance of working with Central Asian countries as strategic partners of China in ensuring regional security. In this context, they underscored the significance of implementing agreements reached at the “China-Central Asia” summit, including provisions of the Astana Declaration aimed at strengthening joint efforts to address new challenges and threats.

The meeting also noted the importance of the Global Security Initiative put forward by the People's Republic of China as a conceptual platform for strengthening international cooperation in countering modern challenges and threats, including drug trafficking. It was emphasized that putting the Initiative's principles into action, which are based on respect for sovereignty, shared responsibility, and multilateral cooperation, helps build a stable and balanced regional security architecture.

Participants underlined critical importance of further strengthening cooperation between the PRC and CARICC, in conjunction with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as well as within the framework of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering (EAG) and INTERPOL. Upon conclusion of the meeting, parties expressed determination to continue constructive dialogue and practical interaction with a view to bolstering regional and international security.