China says US tip led to suspect, a ‘prime example’ of cooperation amid fentanyl crisis
The ministry, which oversees all the country’s law enforcement officers, called the case a “prime example of recent China-US anti-drug cooperation”.
The news came days after China’s ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, held talks with Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, who was in Beijing on Wednesday.
On Friday, the two sides discussed promoting counternarcotics cooperation on the basis of “mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit”, according to a statement from the Chinese embassy.
The US’ opioid-fuelled drug crisis has led to the deaths of more than 100,000 Americans a year for the past few years and continues to worsen, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The fentanyl problem is not China’s problem, nor was it caused by China. But out of humanitarian considerations, China has been doing its utmost to help the US side deal with the fentanyl issue,” said Xie, adding that his country had “made great efforts” and “demonstrated its sincerity for cooperation”.
The synthetic drug fentanyl is among the most potent opioids – up to 100 and 50 times stronger than morphine and heroin, respectively. It is often added to other drugs and used unknowingly.
“The US side needs to move in the same direction with China, take China’s concerns seriously and earnestly address them, so as to create a favourable atmosphere for cooperation,” Xie said.
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Unravelling China’s role in the US fentanyl crisis
The panel in April alleged that Beijing encouraged the production of precursor chemicals by providing “monetary grants and awards”, including state tax rebates and other financial incentives after the product is exported.
The Chinese embassy in turn highlighted Beijing’s anti-drug campaigns, investigations and joint efforts with Washington.