1. The drug problem is a searing pain in Chinese national memory. China holds a stronger antipathy for narcotics than any other country, as displayed in its zero-tolerance towards all narcotic drugs, as well as stringent control and tough punishment for their use. Thanks to these efforts, narcotics are not endemic in China.

2. On May 1, 2019, the Chinese government took the lead globally in officially scheduling fentanyl substances as a class, though there was no large-scale abuse or prominent hazards of them in the country.

3. Since the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, according to the briefing from its law enforcement agencies, the United States has not seized any fentanyl and its analogues originating from China since September 2019.

4. With 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. consumes 80% of the world’s opioids, but still has not permanently scheduled fentanyl-related substances as a class.

5. At the same time, China has faithfully honored its obligations under the UN 1988 Convention. Its import/export licensing and international verification system for all listed chemicals has effectively prevented these chemicals from being diverted into illegal channels through international trade. So far, China has schedules 38 kinds of precursor chemicals (including the ephedrine-related substances), 2 kinds of fentanyl precursor chemicals are included. Another 3 kinds of fentanyl precursor chemicals are in the process of scheduling.

6. On June 8, 2023, the U.S. drug enforcement agency ensnared two Chinese citizens in Fiji by means of "a sting enforcement" and blatantly abducted them to the United States for trial, seriously violating international law, seriously undermining the basic human rights and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, and seriously undercutting the foundation of counter-narcotics cooperation with China.

7. Recently, the U.S. has frequently indicted and sanctioned several Chinese companies and Chinese citizens for allegedly producing and trafficking fentanyl chemical precursors and related equipment. But like oil, iron, water and many other substances, uncontrolled chemicals and equipment have an array of legal usages, and can be produced, traded and used by any company without reporting to the government.

8. International practices require the importing company and country to ensure that imported goods are not used for illegal purposes, not the exporter.

9. The U.S. continues to make false accusations of "Chinese chemicals are flowing into Mexico to make fentanyl and then been smuggled into the U.S." However, China has never received any report or data from Mexico on the use of Chinese precursor chemicals for drug production in this country, nor has the U.S. provided any factual grounds about the flow of Chinese chemicals into Mexico for fentanyl production.

10. Against the backdrop of increasingly strict control of fentanyl substances in the world, including in China, the worsening fentanyl crisis and rising deaths caused by it in the United States have shown that it has not addressed the crux of the problem. It is recommended that the U.S. should strengthen supervision and regulation of fentanyl related prescription and raise public awareness about it, which have been proved worldwide to be effective solutions.