The China-US cooperation in drug control will hopefully play a positive part in the development of bilateral relations, said a Chinese official.
Rahul Gupta, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, is leading a delegation in Beijing to learn about China's historical fight against opium and seek further cooperation in countering narcotics.
The latest visit is one among the frequent high-level communication between China and the United States this year in light of the consensus reached by the presidents of the two countries on tackling the drug problem jointly.
Yu Haibin, deputy director of the National Narcotics Control Commission under the Ministry of Public Security, said in an interview with China Media Group that China's role in the US fentanyl crisis has been misrepresented.
"There are a few points everyone should clearly understand. The root cause of the fentanyl problem in the United States is due to its own misuse of prescription drugs – which has developed into a highly complex issue due to various factors. As such, its solution should primarily rely on the efforts of the United States itself. China is willing to offer full support in terms of material control, intelligence sharing, law enforcement, and combating transnational crimes. But the main responsibility lies with the United States – to handle this issue of its own," he said.
Yu said much progress has been made in China-US anti-drug cooperation so far, and future collaboration will hopefully help invigorate the bilateral ties.
"In the past six months, the drug enforcement departments of China and the United States have actively implemented the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries. There has been frequent high-level communication, and both sides have been working together in a comprehensive, pragmatic, and orderly manner to advance cooperation in different areas of China-US drug control. The US side has recognized these joint efforts in intelligence sharing, the investigation of cases, and the handling of illegal information. Currently, China and the United States are conducting joint investigations in several cases – which will have a significant deterrent effect on criminals involved in drug-related activities in both China and the United States," Yu said.
"From this perspective, both China and the United States play a leading role in the field of global drug control. In today's complex global drug situation, which is undergoing profound changes, it is crucial for the two countries, as the world's top two economies, to join hands and jointly address the common enemy of drugs for the well-being of people worldwide. On the other hand, the active efforts of the Chinese people to help the American people overcome the harm of drugs will also make the American people realize China's goodwill and friendship, pushing forward the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations," he said.
China-US drug control cooperation to stabilize bilateral relations: official
