A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday urged the United States to value China's goodwill and work with China to maintain the current positive momentum in anti-drug cooperation between the two countries.
The remarks came after U.S. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Rahul Gupta said on Wednesday that the United States and China have made progress on the fentanyl problem since the meeting between the two countries' leaders in San Francisco in November 2023.
Noting that China had shut down many websites selling fentanyl precursors, arrested those involved, and placed over 50 fentanyl-related substances under regulation, leading to a decline in fentanyl-related deaths,Gupta emphasized that the advancements in this area should not be reversed when handling U.S.-China relations.
When asked about U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's remarks regarding imposing additional tariffs on China over the fentanyl problem, Gupta suggested that while pressure might have its merits, it is essential to understand the progress already achieved.
Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, Lin Jian, the Chinese spokesman, said, "China is one of the countries with the strictest and most thoroughly enforced anti-drug policies in the world. From the perspective of global drug control and out of humanitarian goodwill, China has provided support to the United States in addressing fentanyl-related issues. In 2019, China announced the regulation of all fentanyl-related substances as a class, becoming the first country in the world to do so."
"Anti-drug cooperation is one of the key consensuses reached during the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. presidents in San Francisco [in November 2023]. With China's active efforts, significant progress has been made in China-U.S. anti-drug collaboration. Both countries have established and launched a working group for anti-drug cooperation, engaging in areas such as substance regulation, case collaboration, technical exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and clearing online advertising for illegal substances," said Lin.
"China is willing to continue anti-drug cooperation with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual respect. We hope the United States will value China's goodwill, recognize its contributions and efforts, and refrain from undermining the foundation of bilateral cooperation. The United States should work with China in the same direction to maintain the current positive momentum in anti-drug cooperation," he said.
US urged to maintain positive momentum in anti-drug cooperation with China
