But Beijing has shied away from multilateral action. Mr Zhu changed that policy when he set up the four-nation battle against drugs. That is shaping up as a series of major policy meetings, beginning late next month and climaxing with a full summit in Yunnan. Mr Jia clearly was briefing himself on the situation, with a personal tour of the drug-producing region, including interviews with senior Thai officials. The major question in everybody's mind must be Burma.
China holds more influence with the Rangoon dictatorship than any government.
Beijing obviously will be putting pressure on Burma in coming weeks and months to change its ways and co-operate. As long as Rangoon continues to provide a safe haven for drug traffickers and money launderers, the region will continue to bear the consequences. No matter how much it goes against China's policy of non-interference with other regimes, Beijing must be willing to press Rangoon hard. China is in the midst of a drug-abuse epidemic in the border province of Yunnan. That has led directly to a second and arguably more fearful epidemic of HIV and Aids.