Vietnam, China, Laos and Myanmar launch joint anti-drug campaign

Attending the meeting were delegations from the Ministry of Public Security of Laos, the Ministry of Public Security of China, the Ministry of Home Affairs of Myanmar and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam.

The four delegations were headed by Lao Deputy Minister of Public Security and Director General of the General Department of Police Lieutenant General Kongsavath Bounliang; Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the National Narcotics Control Commission and Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau under the Chinese Ministry of Public Security Wei Xiaojun; Deputy Director of the Drug Enforcement Division of the Myanmar Police Force Colonel Zaw Lin; and Director of the Counter Narcotics Police Department Major General Ngo Thanh Binh.

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long underlined that, as neighboring countries sharing borderlines and holding important strategic positions, the four countries are directly impacted by the increasingly complex global and regional drug crime situation.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam proposed that the Ministry of Public Security of China, the Ministry of Public Security of Laos and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Myanmar jointly launch an anti-drug campaign from June to September 2026, showing their strong political commitment to addressing drug-related crimes and associated social problems.

The Vietnamese Deputy Minister reaffirmed that Vietnam consistently regards drug prevention and control as a particularly important political task in both immediate and long time. It is the responsibility of the entire political system and the entire society .

He added that Vietnam highly values its traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with China, Laos and Myanmar, and appreciates the close coordination and effective support provided by the three countries for Vietnam in preventing and combating illicit drugs in the past years.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Long expressed confidence that, with the strong political determination as well as mutual trust, responsibility and close coordination of the governments and law enforcement agencies of the four countries, the 2026 joint campaign would achieve significant results, contributing to maintaining security and order and safeguarding the peaceful and happy lives of the people of each country.

At the meeting, the four delegations adopted a Joint Action Plan for the implementation of the 2026 campaign against drug-related crimes.

Under the plan, the four parties will enhance information exchange through hotlines from the central to local levels and through the Border Liaison Office (BLO) networks along border areas, particularly information related to drug cases, transnational drug trafficking organizations and major drug kingpins.

The parties will also coordinate efforts to assess and control the production, trafficking and transportation of narcotics and precursor chemicals in the region through stricter control of border areas, border gates, land routes, waterways, maritime routes and air routes.

In addition, the four countries will conduct joint investigations and operations targeting transnational drug trafficking networks and major drug transit areas, support each other in tracking wanted fugitives from one country hiding in another country’s territory, arrest and transfer criminals in accordance with the signed agreements.

The parties will also strengthen control over legitimate activities related to the trade and production of drugs and precursor chemicals, closely monitor enterprises engaged in the import and export of precursor substances and chemicals among the four countries, avoiding the use of drugs and chemicals for illegal drug production.

Finally, the four countries will launch educational campaigns on drug crime prevention through mass media and social media platforms to improve public understanding of the laws, and raise the public awareness of the dangers and consequences of the abuse of drugs, particularly in drug hotbeds and border regions, while encouraging the public to participate in drug prevention and control efforts.