China eyes working with Philippines vs illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines – China yesterday expressed willingness to cooperate with the Philippines in the campaign against illegal drugs after President Duterte cited the involvement of some Chinese citizens in the drug menace in the country.

The Chinese embassy in Manila said fighting all drug-related crimes is a shared responsibility of all countries in the world.

“China has expressed explicitly to the new administration China’s willingness for effective cooperation in this regard, and would like to work out a specific plan of action with the Philippine side,” the embassy said in a statement.

“The Chinese government has been firm and severe in drug control and in punishing all drug criminals in accordance with laws, regardless their nationalities,” it said. 

The embassy said the Chinese government has been promoting and has carried out effective international cooperation with many countries. 

“China fully understands that the Philippine government under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte has taken it as a top priority in cracking down drug-related crime,” it added. 

Speaking at a fellowship dinner with his batchmates at the San Beda College of Law over the weekend, Duterte said he wanted to call the attention of China to the fact that many of the drug lords in the Philippines were Chinese.