《中国互联网禁毒公约》发布

China's Public Security Ministry has gathered major internet companies to address the problem of rampant drugs trade available over the cyber space. These companies have pledged to do their part.

Fifty eight big websites and delivery companies signed an anti-drug pact with the government, in which they pledged to take down any information that could be related to or encourage the drug trade.

The police warn that online drug dealing is spreading at "a lightning speed". Figures show that in just the past two months, drug deals have been traced to more than 800 domestic websites. About 30,000 suspects have been arrested. Police have also confiscated more than three tons of drugs destined to be sold online.

Police estimate that one out of 100 Chinese takes drugs, and the number has been rising at a staggering pace of 40 percent each year since 2008.

More alarmingly, drug takers arrested in China are now younger, with over half of them now below the age of 35.

Meanwhile, drug abuse, which used to be mostly found among the marginalized groups, such as poor farmers and jobless people, is now spreading quickly to urban residents, celebrities and even civil servants.

As the country becomes more affluent, drug dealers are eyeing this potentially huge market. They used to sell them in bars and clubs, and now, as their trade goes online, the dealing is becoming more sneaky and less risky.

Despite the intensified crackdown, police find they cannot win this war alone. So they are calling for a systematic approach from all sectors of the society.

China's Internet giants, such as Baidu, Alibaba and Tecent, all pledged to take on responsibilities.

Police are also advocating setting in the law the obligations of internet companies.

The 58 signatures, according to the police, are just a start of what they call a "people's war on drugs", in which the government is determined to leave no ground for drug abuse in China.