AFP: The United States yesterday imposed sanctions on four Chinese companies and one individual saying it aims to prevent synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals from reaching the United States. Does the foreign ministry have any comments on these sanctions?

Wang Wenbin: I want to stress that the Chinese government adopts a “zero-tolerance” approach on the issue of narcotics, with strict measures taken to regulate anesthetics, psychotropics and precursor chemicals. China’s efforts and achievements are witnessed by the international community. China categorically opposes the erroneous acts of the US. 

I must point out that China has scheduled fentanyl substances as a class while the US has not yet taken permanent measures so far. Even worse, the US sanctioned the Institution of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Public Security and the National Narcotics Laboratory in China by adding them to the “entity list”. This is like telling others to take the medicine for one’s own illness. This wrong approach is not constructive at all and will only disrupt the law enforcement cooperation on combating narcotics between China and the US. 

We urge the US to respect facts and look for causes of the abuse of fentanyl from within. It should view China’s efforts in an objective and fair manner, instead of diverting attention by blaming others.