China is helping neighboring countries replace opium poppy with other profitable plants to prevent an influx of narcotic drugs.

The government of Yunnan Province in Southwest China has invested at least 300 million yuan (US$36 million) in the past decade in plants to replace opium poppy. At least 29,660 hectares of opium poppy land in Myanmar and Laos are no longer being used to plant opium poppy, according to the Yunnan public security department.

The provincial government has instead provided at least 200,000 economic fruit trees and 1,000 tons of seeds. And more than 3,000 Chinese experts have been sent to neighboring countries to help train technicians; build roads, power stations and schools; improve the food processing ability; and promote travel business.

These efforts to combat drugs have been deemed effective by the international community.

Yunnan Province borders Myanmar, Laos and Viet Nam, a popular route for drug dealers.

Local police claim to have arrested 10,600 suspected drug dealers and seized eight tons of drugs in the first 10 months this year, an increase of 20 to 30 per cent over last year.

(China DailyDecember 1, 2001)