China and Myanmar Tuesday signed an action plan document
regarding opium poppy crop substitution and alternative development
to be implemented in northern Myanmar.
The anti-drug cooperation action plan is to be carried out under
the framework of cooperative agreement between the two governments
on ban of illegal transportation and abuse of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances.
On behalf of the respective governments, Chinese Ambassador to
Myanmar Guan Mu and Myanmar Deputy Minister of Progress of Border
Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Colonel Tin Ngwe
signed the document in Myanmar's new capital of Nay Pyi Taw.
According to the document, the two sides will strengthen such
cooperation in northern Myanmar mainly by supporting project
cooperation between and among competent enterprises to implement
the projects covered by the program based on the principles of
equality, mutual benefit, mutual respect and shared
responsibility.
The two sides agreed to set up demonstration projects of poppy
crop substitution and alternative development in the areas covering
Special Region No. 1 and 2 of Kachin state, Special Region No. 1, 2
and 4 in Shan state and other regions both parties agreed upon, the
document said.
At the signing ceremony, the Chinese ambassador said the Chinese
government would like to further enhance cooperation with Myanmar
in the sector of poppy crop substitution and alternative
development to gradually improve the livelihood of farmers who
abandoned poppy cultivation and to totally resolve the poppy
growing issue that endangers both side.
The Myanmar deputy minister expressed the country's thanks to
China for its consistent assistance rendered for Myanmar's drug
control tasks and border area development, expressing belief that
through the two countries' cooperation, the total eradication of
poppy would be bound to achieve success.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2007)
