U.S. Department of State, "2006 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report," March 2006

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Drug and Chemical Control

Summary

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to have a significant domestic drug abuse problem. China is also an important transit route for opiates and ATS (Amphetamine Type Stimulants) moving through Asia. China was removed from the list of Major Drug Transit Countries in 2005 because there was no evidence drugs transiting China affected the U.S. to a significant extent. Heroin use persists, particularly in southwest China. There continues to be an upsurge in the consumption of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA) and crystal methamphetamine, otherwise known as "ice". Chinese authorities view drug trafficking and abuse as a major threat to national security, the economy and national and regional stability, but corruption in far-flung drug producing and drug transit regions of the PRC limit the accomplishments of dedicated enforcement officials. China has made great strides to integrate regional and global counternarcotics efforts. China is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention.

Cooperation with U.S. counternarcotics officials continued to improve over the past year. The signing of a Memorandum of Intent in February 2005 between DEA and the MPS (Ministry of Public Security) Bureau of Narcotics Control yielded a higher level of cooperation. In 2005, the Chinese Government also continued to provide U.S. counternarcotics officials with samples of drugs seized, on a case-by-case basis.

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Money Laundering and Financial Crimes

Money laundering remains a major concern as the People's Republic of China (PRC) restructures its economy. A more sophisticated and globally connected financial system in one of the world's fastest growing economies will offer significantly more opportunities for money laundering activity. Most money laundering cases now under investigation involve funds obtained from corruption and bribery. Narcotics trafficking, smuggling, alien smuggling, counterfeiting, fraud and other financial crimes remain major sources of laundered funds. Proceeds of tax evasion, recycled through offshore companies, often return to the PRC disguised as foreign investment, and as such, receive tax benefits. Continuing speculation following the July adjustment of the renminbi exchange rate system also fueled illicit capital flows into China throughout 2005. Hong Kong-registered companies figure prominently in schemes to transfer corruption proceeds and in tax evasion recycling schemes. The International Monetary Fund recently estimated that money laundering in China may total as much as $24 billion annually.

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