Cross-regional cooperation deepens as Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao pledge stronger intelligence sharing, law enforcement and youth education
The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Anti-Drug Summit has marked a significant step towards building a unified regional front against evolving narcotics threats. Held in Hong Kong on 5 September, the event brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Public Security, Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao to safeguard what they described as the nation’s “southern gate”.
The summit, organised by Hong Kong’s Security Bureau Narcotics Division and the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), coincided with ACAN’s 60th anniversary. It was the first cross-regional anti-drug gathering since the release of the GBA’s Outline Development Plan and drew around 300 participants, including representatives from nearly 40 agencies and NGOs. Delegates from Singapore also attended, underscoring the wider regional relevance of the forum.
Shared responsibility
ACAN chairman Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung emphasised the importance of joint action.
“While Hong Kong has made progress with anti-drug work, it must not become complacent. Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao are inseparably linked, and they all bear the responsibility to safeguard their shared home, the GBA, from the harmful effects caused by drugs,” he said.
Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Narcotics, Kesson Lee, said the summit had elevated collaboration across boundaries.
“Previous cross-boundary collaboration and exchanges were often conducted on a case-by-case basis,” he explained. “Agencies from the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao explored ways to close the gaps created by differing laws and regulations, making it harder for criminals to exploit different legal systems.”
Focus on prevention
The role of education was a recurring theme. Lee said joint youth programmes, such as visits to the opium destruction site in Humen, offered valuable lessons. He also unveiled a commemorative book marking ACAN’s 60 years of advocacy, noting its availability in schools and libraries.
Mark Sou Sio-keong, deputy director of Macao’s Judiciary Police, described the summit’s agenda as “highly practical”, citing challenges from synthetic drugs to crypto-linked narcotics crimes. Karen Lok I Pan of the Macau YMCA added: “Young people are heavy internet users, which means we must continue to strengthen our online presence alongside our conventional community efforts.”
Regional perspectives
International delegates welcomed the exchanges. Sebastian Tan, director of Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau, said: “We’ve built strong networks and will continue sharing best practices and diverse perspectives. This collaboration isn’t limited to China and Singapore — it can extend to other Asian nations.”
Tan Chong Huat, chairman of Singapore’s National Council Against Drug Abuse, said the event highlighted the collective nature of the challenge. “It is truly enlightening to see that it’s not just the government, but all anti-drug stakeholders working together,” he noted.
Youth voices
The summit concluded with a pledge from young delegates: “Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao stand united — I lead the fight against drugs! Say no to drugs!”
Jason Lee Chun-yiu, a 21-year-old delegate from Hong Kong, said the summit provided valuable insights for future projects. “The visit made me realize that drugs not only harm individual health but are also linked to a painful chapter in our history,” he said.
Macao delegate Marcelino Antonio Couto echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of prevention and greater outreach to vulnerable youth groups.
Three panel discussions — covering communication strategies, collaborative enforcement and youth partnerships — rounded off the summit, which participants hailed as a milestone in building a drug-free Greater Bay Area.
