In a dynamic move, the Chinese mainland has added nitazenes and 12 other psychoactive substances to its controlled drug list. These synthetic opioids, known for causing severe respiratory depression, have already been linked to many overdose tragedies around the world 💊.
Wei Xiaojun, head of the Ministry of Public Security's narcotics control bureau, noted that the drug situation remains stable overall. However, he warned that the rapid evolution of new drugs and the increasing complexity of drug-related crimes pose serious challenges for law enforcement.
To tackle these issues head-on, the Chinese mainland has stepped up its international cooperation. In 2024, it inaugurated the China-U.S. Counternarcotics Working Group to assist in addressing the U.S. fentanyl crisis. Notably, reports indicate that nearly 80,000 American lives were lost to drug overdoses in 2024, with more than half linked to potent fentanyl-related opioids, underscoring the global urgency of enhanced drug control measures.
However, the so-called "fentanyl tariffs," introduced by the Trump administration as a response to imported fentanyl, have complicated this collaborative effort. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that the fentanyl problem is the United States' responsibility, reiterating Beijing's firm stance on the matter.
China first added fentanyl-related substances to its controlled list in 2019, setting a global precedent in narcotics control. Through continued international collaboration and strict regulatory updates, the Chinese mainland remains steadfast in confronting emerging drug challenges.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
