Guo Jiakun, Chinese FM spokesperson Photo:VCG

At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, a foreign media reporter asked whether China has moved to tighten controls over two chemicals that can be used to make fentanyl is done at the behest of or in cooperation with the US.

In response, spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that competent authorities in China have released a statement on that, which you may refer to. 

It is a step taken by the Chinese government to fulfill its obligations as a signatory of the UN conventions on drug control with the aim of keeping precursor chemicals under strict control. This effort demonstrates China's attitude of actively participating in global drug governance and its sense of responsibility as a major country, Guo said.

Guo noted that June 26 is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. "China is one of the world's strictest countries on counternarcotics both in terms of policy and its implementation. The issue of fentanyl abuse does not exist in China. Besides, we've also fully promoted and deeply participated in the global governance of drug-related issues and carried out fruitful counternarcotics cooperation with other countries," he said. 

"We've repeatedly made it clear that fentanyl is the US' problem, not China's. It's the US' responsibility to solve the issue. Despite the goodwill China has shown, the US wrongly slapped tariffs on Chinese imports by citing the issue of fentanyl. The move has dealt a heavy blow to China-US dialogue and cooperation on counternarcotics, and gravely hurt China's interests. If the US truly wants to cooperate with China, it should face up to the objective facts, correct it wrongdoing, and seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit," the spokesperson said. 

Global Times