China, US maintain close counter-narcotics communication, cooperation

BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States have maintained close communication and practical cooperation in counter-narcotics efforts, a Chinese anti-drug official said on Wednesday.

At a press conference held by the office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission, Wei Xiaojun, executive deputy director of the office and head of the Ministry of Public Security's narcotics control bureau, said the two countries have engaged in extensive institutional exchanges and pragmatic cooperation.

According to Wei, Chinese authorities have maintained regular communication with the U.S. side, including the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, while law enforcement agencies from both countries have jointly investigated multiple drug-related cases.

China has also taken active steps to address problems involving the diversion of non-scheduled precursor chemicals into illicit drug manufacturing channels in North America. In November 2025, China added 13 types of precursors of fentanyl-related substances to the export control list, and added the United States, Mexico and Canada to the Catalogue of Specific Countries (Regions), Wei said. In May this year, three types of precursors of fentanyl-related substances were added to the list regarding the three aforementioned countries.

Chinese customs authorities have strengthened export supervision and risk assessments of relevant chemical products.

To combat the trafficking of controlled and non-scheduled precursor chemicals, new psychoactive substances, and other sensitive chemicals, China has carried out multiple nationwide enforcement campaigns targeting illegal smuggling of such materials overseas, Wei added.

The U.S. side has spoken positively about bilateral counter-narcotics cooperation on several occasions, according to the official, adding that China has also investigated a number of cases based on information and leads provided by the U.S. side.