A senior Chinese diplomat on Tuesday called on governments around the world to step up cooperation on the international fight against drug trafficking.

"Drug trafficking is the main cause behind the spread of drugs in today's world," Liu Zhenmin, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, told the Security Council in an open debate.

"Cracking down on drug trafficking requires all countries to strengthen international cooperation," he said.

Taking note of "a trafficking route from Latin America to West Europe and North America via West Africa," Liu said international drug trafficker are using West Africa as transit to conduct drug trafficking activities, and the countries in the region fall victim as a result.

"This situation not only gives rise to organized crime activities but also affects social stability and security in these countries," he said.

"The fight for international drug control must pivot on international cooperation and adhere to the principle of shared responsibility," he stressed.

Liu urged West African countries to strengthen legislation and law enforcement to strictly crack down on international drug trafficking activities.

"The developed countries, where drug consumption mainly takes place, have strong capacity in government control and are duty-bound to shoulder the moral responsibility to eliminate drug consumption, thus doing their part to contribute to advancing the international fight for drug control," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency December 9, 2009)