Published on: 2026-05-19
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Beijing, May 19 /Xin Hua/ — Below is an author’s article by Zhang Li, deputy director of the Center for Theory and Political Research in the Field of Drug Control at the Chinese People’s Public Security University.
Drugs represent a social evil on a global scale, threatening the health of humanity, public safety, as well as international development and stability. The Chinese nation has long suffered from the detrimental effects caused by drugs. The Chinese government, guided by a sense of responsibility to history, the people, and the world, adheres to a firm position regarding strict control over drugs.Following a comprehensive and systematic approach aimed at eliminating both symptoms and root causes, as well as encouraging broader public participation and social interaction, China has overcome numerous difficulties in the practice of combating drugs, and with its “Chinese model” of management has provided the world with an indispensable example in the fight against drugs.
In recent years, problems with synthetic drugs, especially substances related to fentanyl, have rapidly worsened, creating an increasingly greater threat to the international community and posing new challenges to global efforts to control drugs. Against this backdrop, China, guided by humanitarian principles and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, has created a comprehensive control system encompassing all aspects, chains, and cycles.China actively helps countries seriously affected by the fentanyl crisis, including the United States, sharing experience in the field of drug control and participating in anti-narcotics cooperation. Thanks to its concrete actions, China fulfills the responsible role of a major state, bringing valuable Chinese wisdom and Chinese strength to global drug control.
I. Looking back over the past century, it can be noted that the cardinal changes in the situation with drugs in China highlight the strong points of the Chinese system of state governance.
Drugs once left a deep mark in the history of the suffering of the Chinese nation during the period of modern history, and the fight against them became an important chapter in the century-long epic of national struggle and state governance.Historically, beginning with the mass influx of opium in the 19th century, which led to widespread drug addiction, the outflow of silver and socio-economic difficulties, and ending with the defeat of the Qing dynasty government in the Opium Wars and the forced signing of unequal treaties, as well as the subsequent frequent conflicts and chaos in governance during the existence of the Republic of China, problems associated with drugs were a significant factor underlying the poverty and weakness of China in the modern historical period.Although Lin Zexu’s efforts to destroy opium in Humen, Guangdong Province in southern China in 1839 demonstrated China’s firm position on drugs, and despite periodic anti-opium campaigns at the grassroots level, the use of narcotic substances continued uncontrollably. This entrenched in the Chinese people’s consciousness the understanding that only a strong national power combined with unified national determination can completely eradicate the drug problem.
The miracle of the anti-narcotics campaign began with grandiose changes, following the proclamation of the People’s Republic of China and the launch of the largest and most effective anti-narcotics movement in the history of mankind, led by the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government.
Soon after the formation of the New China, the government issued the “Directive on the Strict Prohibition of Opium and Narcotics,” calling on people’s governments at all levels and people’s organizations to mobilize the population for a broad fight against opium and narcotics. This decisively broke the trend that had developed during the period of the new history toward the excessive spread of drugs in the country. For nearly 30 years thereafter, China consistently enjoyed recognition from the international community as a “country free from drugs,” which left a significant bright mark in the world history of the fight against narcotics.
At the beginning of the period of reforms and openness in China, in response to the surge of problems related to drugs in certain regions, the Chinese government launched regional anti-drug campaigns aimed at controlling sources, blocking supplies, and strictly stopping the cross-border trafficking of drugs in the relevant key areas, which became an important part of the nationwide campaign to decisively curb crime.Subsequently, the government established the State Committee for Combating Drug Trafficking, convened nationwide conferences on drug control issues, and held all-China exhibitions dedicated to the fight against drugs, in order to strengthen leadership and mobilize society within the framework of efforts to combat drugs. These measures effectively contained the aggravation of problems related to drugs.The Chinese government has launched a national war on drugs, adopted and implemented the Anti-Drug Law of the PRC, and has also actively participated in international cooperation in the field of drug control, continuously deepening this fight.
Entering a new era, the Chinese government, considering the fight against drugs as a matter involving national security, the country’s prosperity, and the well-being of the people, has fully utilized political and institutional advantages, improved management systems, tightened accountability for performing appropriate work, and broadly mobilized society to consolidate positive momentum in the fight against drugs and successfully formed a drug control solution with Chinese characteristics.
The corresponding experience includes:
— To adhere to a path according to which the main thing is prevention, and to undertake innovative efforts in the field of anti-drug education. Anti-drug education should always be considered the country’s main strategy in the fight against drugs. In this work, special attention must be paid to the younger generation, developing a new architectonics in which the integrative development of traditional and new media, both in online and offline formats, is observed to facilitate the inclusion of anti-drug education into the legal framework, social development, and everyday life of people.
— Taking preventive measures and preparing offensive measures in the fight against drugs. Special campaigns are deployed to combat drugs aimed at solving such an urgent problem as the penetration of drugs across the border and interregional illegal trafficking. The collection of intelligence data and investigation of criminal cases are intensified, tactics for combating drugs and interregional joint operations are improved, cross-border cooperation of law enforcement agencies is strengthened, and drug mafias and drug networks are comprehensively eliminated.
— Adhere to scientific principles in the rehabilitation of drug addicts and expand achievements in the field of drug addiction control. China fully employs measures such as voluntary treatment for drug addiction, community-level rehabilitation, compulsory isolation for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, undergoing restorative therapy courses at the community level, and continued treatment for drug addiction.To minimize social harm caused by drugs, a comprehensive rehabilitation system for drug addicts was created, combining treatment of physiological dependence, physical and psychological recovery, assistance in employment, and the provision of social support.
— To take coordinated steps and deepen targeted control over substances causing addiction, including narcotic and psychotropic substances.In response to the emerging problems associated with the rapid spread of these addictive substances both within China and beyond its borders, the country employs a comprehensive approach including monitoring and early warning, legal regulation, administrative supervision, law enforcement, preventive education, rehabilitation and support for the systematic resolution of problems related to narcotics, psychoactive substances, and other addictive substances.
— Defending the elimination of problem sources, adhering to strict rules regarding chemical substances-precursors. Considering the management and control of chemical substances-precursors as a fundamental measure to curb the illicit production of narcotic substances at their very source, authorities continuously strengthen supervision over the processes of production, distribution, storage, transportation, and import-export, and assist in developing an information system for tracking chemical substances-precursors, which allows effectively preventing their illegal circulation.
— Support global joint governance and promote practical international cooperation in the anti-narcotics sphere. Adhering to the concept of forming a community with a shared future for mankind, protecting the existing international drug control system based on the three UN Conventions, China actively participates in the development of international drug control policies and regulations and actively engages in equal and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries in the fight against drugs.
Behind the fundamental turnaround from widespread devastation caused by opium in the modern historical period to the current trend of continuous improvement in the situation related to drugs stands coordinated planning and the adoption of comprehensive measures by the Chinese government in the field of strict drug control, as well as the unwavering determination of the Chinese people to follow the path of solving drug-related problems, taking into account Chinese specifics. China represents a model and practical experience to which one can refer in the global fight against drugs.
II. Improvement of system management to ensure reliable and effective control over substances related to fentanyl
In recent years, global drug control has faced new situations and challenges. The fentanyl crisis in some countries is evidence of the growing global spread of synthetic drugs.
Despite the fact that in China there is no large-scale abuse of substances related to fentanyl, and the fentanyl crisis in some countries is caused by reasons unrelated to China, China has still adopted a set of measures including adding a greater number of substances to the control list, strengthening regulatory oversight, activating efforts to combat smuggling, and advocating for joint global governance.China actively promotes international cooperation and provides assistance to countries, including the United States, in responding to threats and challenges caused by substances related to fentanyl, implementing reliable and effective control over substances related to fentanyl. From institutional design to practical implementation, the ‘Chinese wisdom,’ embodied in state governance, has provided a ‘Chinese solution’ for improving the management of substances related to fentanyl.
— Simultaneous provision of access to the rational use of medicinal products and strict control over their use. China has approved the entry of 4 types of fentanyl drugs into the market, which are widely used for the administration and maintenance of surgical anesthesia, postoperative analgesia, and pain relief during labor, pain relief in cancer and other treatment scenarios, effectively ensuring the accessibility of rational use of medicinal products for the population.China has included fentanyl drugs in the Catalog of Anesthetic Medications and implements strict control over their production, distribution, use, and export. The production link is subordinated to the management system established for specific enterprises and the annual planning system, while the distribution link is subordinated to the management rules established for specific enterprises and rules of restricted circulation. The use and export of the aforementioned drugs are subject to licensing.These measures allow for dynamic monitoring and closed-loop control, effectively preventing the leakage of fentanyl drugs.
— The fight against crimes related to fentanyl, in accordance with the law. China has become a global leader in controlling all categories of substances related to fentanyl. The country has demonstrated an innovative approach by including all relevant substances in the regulatory sphere through scientific determination of the main physicochemical structural characteristics of fentanyl.China has developed and published a table of recalculations of potency depending on substances related to fentanyl, and has also prepared and disclosed recommendations on a number of issues concerning the application of legislation when considering criminal cases related to these substances, which provides a basis and guarantees for the corresponding law enforcement and judicial activities.Strict mechanisms were implemented, such as the registration of users on online platforms related to chemical substances under their real names, verification of published information, online monitoring of information, as well as the removal of harmful information and reporting. Special campaigns are constantly organized and conducted to combat new types of drug-related crimes, including the production and illegal circulation of substances related to fentanyl, with the aim of maximum suppression and eradication of illegal and criminal activities associated with such substances.
— The implementation of strict control over precursor substances related to fentanyl. China fully takes into account the needs of public production and the potential risks of leakage and has timely included seven types of chemical substances that can be used for the production of substances related to fentanyl into the regulatory scope of chemical substance precursors for drug production.Efforts are being made to promote the establishment of a system for the control of product identification and traceability, the implementation of dynamic monitoring of the entire process of production, operation, procurement, transportation, import and export, as well as the approval and issuance of licenses in a strict order.In November 2025, China included 13 types of fentanyl-related precursor substances in the list of goods subject to export control, added the USA, Mexico, and Canada to the “Catalog of Specific Countries/Regions,” and published a notice on preventing the leakage of substances used for the production of narcotics, as well as chemical substances not included in the lists, from which narcotics may be produced, and the corresponding equipment.
— Acceleration of R&D and implementation of technological tools. In China, a nationwide system of narcotic laboratories has been created, providing comprehensive technological support for the timely detection, accurate identification, comprehensive monitoring, and scientific control of substances related to fentanyl.China has implemented innovative mechanisms for proactive detection and early warning, created a screening system for unknown substances based on technologies of chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and spectral analysis, and for the first time applied the technology of nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum monitoring /NMR/. China regularly collects obtained NMR spectra and compares them with the database to identify suspicious spectra related to substances associated with fentanyl and chemical precursors.For comprehensive monitoring of abuse of psychoactive substances and effective identification of potential drug addicts, high-throughput laboratory testing methods have been developed. To constantly improve the potential for qualitative and quantitative testing of substances related to fentanyl, a relatively reliable system for drug verification and identification has been developed, as well as industry standards in the field of public safety.
— Adoption of comprehensive measures to improve the overall effectiveness of control. China applies a set of political, legal, administrative, economic, and social measures to encourage sectoral self-discipline and public participation, in order to effectively prevent risks and harms associated with substances containing fentanyl.The country focuses on key areas with a high risk of synthetic drug development, such as substances related to fentanyl, including biopharmaceutical research and development centers, chimico-pharmaceutical parks, and organizes specialized units for conducting in-depth inspections. China has prepared and distributed a series of advertising posters on the prevention of new types of drugs, including substances related to fentanyl, and has conducted centralized professional training to teach the corresponding specialists methods of testing and identification.In addition, China also actively conducts public campaigns against drugs, primarily aimed at teenagers, with the goal of comprehensive, scientific, and systematic popularization of knowledge about substances that cause addiction, such as substances related to fentanyl.
III. On the early recognition of mutually beneficial cooperation and assistance based on own practice in global substance management related to fentanyl
International cooperation must be built on mutual respect between states. The United States has repeatedly used the issue of substances related to fentanyl as a pretext to criticize and discredit China, thereby undermining bilateral cooperation in the fight against drugs.But, despite this, China consistently takes a humanitarian standpoint and, treating the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as the starting point, is ready through dialogue and consultations to provide active support to the US in countering the fentanyl crisis, to take concrete actions on developing bilateral cooperation in the fight against drugs, demonstrating the responsibility expected from a major country.
— Guided by the goals of improving people’s well-being, China demonstrates a commitment to mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States. China insists on the necessity of jointly resolving the global drug problem, aimed at protecting health and well-being worldwide, and does everything necessary to regulate the situation with fentanyl.China was not only the first to include substances related to fentanyl — all without exception — in the list of controlled substances and repeatedly expanded the list of controlled substances related to fentanyl and its precursors, but also maintains deep communication with the United States on this issue through high-level meetings, high-level negotiations, and other channels.Both sides have created interdepartmental working groups to combat drugs, which maintain close interaction, as well as regular mechanisms that allow the anti-drug structures of the two countries to exchange intelligence information and cooperate on relevant matters at any time. As the capacity for cooperation in the field of drug control increases, it becomes increasingly clear that China sincerely supports providing assistance to the United States in resolving the crisis related to fentanyl.
— By promoting dialogue and consultations, China strives for the early foundation of anti-drug cooperation with the United States. China consistently adheres to the principle of “dialogue instead of confrontation and cooperation instead of accusations” in order to bring bilateral anti-drug cooperation into a rational and pragmatic channel. Regarding the actions of the U.S. that undermine the basis of cooperation, including the introduction of the so-called “fentanyl tariff,” the Chinese side, in addition to a resolute “no,” remains quite straightforward in the strategic plan.On the one hand, the Chinese side continues practically cooperation in areas such as intelligence exchange, joint investigation of cases, and technical exchange, while on the other hand, it calls on the United States to face the truth, correct mistaken practices, and return to a foundation of cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.
— Guiding by the principle of joint consultations and joint construction, China is directing the process of global regulation of the fentanyl-related substance issue. China consistently promotes China-U.S. cooperation in the field of combating drugs within the framework of global management and actively uses its own experience to guide the process of global regulation of fentanyl-type substance problems. China strongly advocates for global drug management based on the principles of joint discussion, joint construction, and joint utilization.On a multilateral platform, since the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, China has repeatedly called on the international community to be guided by the concept of a shared future for mankind and to include the issue of fentanyl in the fight against drugs.China is actively developing cooperation in the field of drug control with countries around the world and international organizations, and is also actively participating in a number of global projects on drug control, such as the “Global Synthetic Drugs Monitoring Program: Analysis, Reporting, and Trends” under the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. China plays an active role in jointly countering new challenges in the global fight against drugs, including the problem of substances like fentanyl.China actively engages in technical exchanges with anti-narcotics agencies of various countries, sharing experience and practices in areas such as expertise and identification of substances like fentanyl, monitoring abuse and harm assessment, and has also established a mechanism for exchanging technologies in drug testing with the corresponding agencies of the USA and scientists in this field.
China’s approach to solving problems in this area provides valuable guidelines for the international community in the form of China’s wisdom. China has fulfilled and will continue to fulfill its obligations as a major country by taking concrete steps to develop global cooperation in addressing drug problems. Moving towards each other in one direction and developing mutually beneficial cooperation remain the only effective way forward. The issue of substances related to fentanyl is a test both of wisdom and of the sense of responsibility of China, the USA, and the entire international community.China’s experience shows that only by discarding political prejudices and demonstrating genuine spirit of cooperation will countries be able to effectively respond to challenges posed by problems related to substances like fentanyl, global drug control, and will also be able to reliably protect the health and well-being of peoples in all countries and ensure the safety and stability of human society.
Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It represents an exact report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.