Beijing backs Philippines' war on drug crimes

China understands and supports Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's fight against drug crimes and would like to work out a joint action plan with its Asian neighbor in the campaign, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a news briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

"Illicit drugs are the common enemy of mankind. Fighting against all drug-related crimes is a shared responsibility of all countries," he said.

Duterte's war against illegal drugs has been criticized by the United States and the European Union since the Philippine president took office.

Duterte will visit Beijing on Oct 20 and 21, according to the Philippine Star newspaper, and is expected to seek China's cooperation in his campaign against illegal drugs.

The Foreign Ministry has not yet confirmed the exact date, but said that China is looking forward to a visit by Duterte as soon as possible.

"We have expressed welcome for President Duterte on many occasions," Geng said at an earlier briefing.

Chen Qinghong, a researcher in Southeast Asian and Philippine studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said the two countries have found common ground for cracking down on drug crimes, calling such cooperation a "natural development".

Contact the writers at qinjize@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/30/2016 page4)