CRI听力:China Opposes Legalization of Narcotics at High-level UN Session

According to the latest figures from the UN - nearly 250 million people, that's one in every 20 people aged between 15 and 64, used illegal drugs in 2013. Of these, 27 million suffer from drug use disorders.

The current global war on drugs is largely guided by a political declaration adopted by the previous General Assembly session in 2009.

Despite a broad agreement, it is believed that deep divisions persist among the UN members, with some countries favoring a shift towards decriminalization.

A number of Latin American leaders say the war on drugs has failed and legalizing so-called soft drugs like marijuana is an irreversible trend, while a number of others openly disagree.

State Councilor Guo Shengkun is heading China's delegation. He is also the head of China's national anti-drug commission and public security ministry.

Guo has outlined a five-point proposal, including forging equal partnerships, mobilizing NGOs and civil society, adopting differentiated strategies, establishing more efficient mechanisms as well as enhancing international cooperation.

He urged the international community not to accept any form of legalization of narcotics.

"We should firmly oppose any efforts to legalize narcotics and also respect and support the differentiated policies and strategies each country adopts. There should always be a comprehensive, balanced, scientific evidence-based anti-narcotic strategy in place to uphold the authority, stability and inclusiveness of anti-narcotic policies."

He has also called on developed countries to do more to help the wider world.

"Developed countries should provide funding and technological support to developing countries, and pursue the strategy of alternative development to improve the livelihoods of people living in traditional drug plant cultivation regions."

Guo said the Chinese government had invested around 1.6 billion yuan in Myanmar and northern Laos to help local residents find another trade to replace their drug plantation business.

This is the fourth high-level UN session on the global drug problem in the history of the UN. The three day meeting will conclude on Thursday.

A draft outcome document, adopted at the meeting, suggests the drug problem should be dealt with an "integrated, multidisciplinary, mutually reinforcing, balanced, scientific evidence-based and comprehensive approach".

For CRI, I'm Su Yi in New York.