Ethics

It cannot be denied that the China is among the top countries with widespread illegal drug trade. This phenomenon is influenced by certain factors such as Chinas location, history, land area, high population, and its present economic state. Chinas huge land mass, the close proximity to the infamous Golden Triangle, and the various coastal neighbors having modern harbor facilities craft the country to be an attractive transport center for narcotics trafficking.

Chinas situation regarding drug trafficking became well-known in the 1980s when the countrys borders were opened for trade and tourism. With the boom of the trade industry, deals on illegal narcotics and raw chemicals also became common. In a sense, Chinas move to improve its economic state became the start of the countrys status on narcotics trafficking.

Morphine, injectable heroin, smokeable opium, crystal methamphetamine, nimetazepam, temazepam and MDMA or ecstasy are some of the most common narcotics involved in the illegal drugs trade in China. The choice of narcotics and their administration vary from province to province within China. Income also plays a major role regarding drug preference. For example, heroin and opium usage is popular among the younger population since most of them are capable of buying these top-caliber narcotics.

Some of the groups involved in the global narcotics trafficking are native Kokang, Fujianese, Cantonese, Yunnanese, and other ethnic Chinese marginal groups located outside the country. Due to the strict monitoring of the authorities on the narcotics trafficking business, drug traffickers partition large shipments into smaller ones to avoid huge losses when shipments are seized. Also, drug traffickers are using women, children, and uneducated farmers as couriers to transport illegal drugs from the Golden Triangle territory to Chinas provinces.

As a summary, Chinas reputation on illegal drug trade is highly influenced by the countrys location, size, and its neighboring countries. This problem roots from Chinas opening of trade borders during the 1980s.