US Experts Praise China's Anti-Drug Efforts; China and US Deepen Drug Enforcement Cooperation

American experts have published articles in authoritative journals including Science praising China's drug control work, according to remarks made by Wei Xiaojun, executive vice director of China's National Narcotics Control Bureau, at a press conference on June 17. Wei noted that the US government has positively evaluated China-US drug enforcement cooperation on multiple occasions and expressed gratitude to China.

Since the summit between Chinese and American leaders in Busan, the two countries' drug enforcement agencies have deepened collaboration across multiple areas. These include coordinating on controlled substance scheduling, chemical precursor management, intelligence and lead sharing, joint case investigations, online illegal content removal, apprehension and extradition of drug-related fugitives, anti-money laundering efforts related to drug trafficking, and drug testing technology exchange. Wei stated that China has worked with the US White House Office of National Drug Policy and other government agencies through regular communication and progress updates.

China's law enforcement agencies have partnered with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to jointly investigate multiple cases and coordinate the extradition of drug-related fugitives. To address the flow of non-scheduled chemical precursors into illicit fentanyl production in North America, China's commerce and other government departments expanded export controls in November 2025 by adding 13 fentanyl-class chemical precursors to restricted export lists for the US, Mexico, and Canada. An additional three such precursors were added in May 2026.

China issued warnings in November 2025 and May 2026 reminding enterprises and individuals to strictly comply with relevant laws when handling these chemicals. Customs authorities have strengthened export monitoring and risk analysis, while postal services have enforced verification and inspection procedures. Within China, law enforcement agencies have conducted multiple nationwide enforcement operations to combat illegal trafficking of scheduled and non-scheduled precursor chemicals and new synthetic drugs across borders.

Wei emphasized that addressing drug problems concerns global health and welfare, and drug enforcement cooperation reflects universal agreement among nations. He called for continued collaboration based on mutual respect, trust, and professional pragmatism, stating that sustained China-US cooperation will effectively address serious drug problems and benefit both nations and the world.