MKsport US can't solve its fentanyl epidemic by pointing fingers abroad while ignoring problems at home. Cartoon: Carlos Latuff" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-12-01/0d634b61-1dc9-48fa-8fa9-aac3a64ded00.jpeg" />

The US can't solve its fentanyl epidemic by pointing fingers abroad while ignoring problems at home. Cartoon: Carlos Latuff

 
China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances - China's Contribution, highlighting the country's rigorous control over these chemicals.

Facts speak louder than words, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in the Tuesday statement on the white paper, while pointing out that the US has been spreading all kinds of false information concerning the fentanyl issue, while smearing and scapegoating China, and hiking tariffs on Chinese imports. 

The spokesperson continued that such a move is unjustified and will do no one good. China's position is clear-cut. It stands ready for practical cooperation with the US based on equality and mutual respect. That said, China firmly opposes the US pressuring, threatening and blackmailing China under the pretext of the fentanyl issue. "We urge the US to respect the facts, bear in mind its own interests and make the right choice." 

The white paper "gives an authoritative review of the tremendous work China has done, the innovative steps it has taken and its experience in this field," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson commented on the white paper shortly after its release on Tuesday afternoon.

The white paper will help people from various sectors and the international community to understand China's position, measures and achievements in this field in a full, in-depth and objective way, the spokesperson explained. 

China has attached great importance to maintaining control over fentanyl-related substances in recent years, the white paper says. The country has exercised strict supervision over fentanyl-related medications, rigorously prevented the abuse of fentanyl-related substances, and struck hard against the smuggling, manufacturing, and trafficking of fentanyl-related substances and related precursor chemicals, it notes.

"These have delivered notable results," it states.

Committed to the vision of a global community with a shared future, the white paper says China rigorously meets its international drug control obligations and adheres to the principle of shared responsibility among all countries and a comprehensive and balanced approach to drug control.

"It advocates mutual assistance, joint contribution, and shared benefit among all countries, and opposes finger-pointing and buck-passing," the document asserts.

"China has achieved notable successes in in-depth cooperation with countries concerned, including the US, in addressing problems with fentanyl-related substances and their precursors," the white paper states.

The release of the white paper came after the US announcement that it would impose an additional 10-percent tariff on products imported from China effective from Tuesday, citing the fentanyl issue as a pretext, which has aroused strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition from China.

In countermeasure, China will impose additional tariffs of 10 percent or 15 percent on certain US products starting from March 10, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said on Tuesday. An additional 15 percent tariff will be imposed on imported chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, while 10 percent tariff will be imposed on sorghum, soybean, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products, per the statement.

"What the US side has done is a typical act of unilateralism and bullying in disregard of facts, international trade rules and the voices of all parties," a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

The timely release of the document effectively exposes the absurdity of the US' groundless accusations regarding China's response to fentanyl. The white paper is precisely targeted and makes it clear that the US's trade war against China - as well as against Canada and Mexico - is, in essence, a way to shift blame and distract from its own domestic governance failures, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. 

The release of this white paper at this particular moment is primarily in response to the US using the fentanyl issue as a pretext to impose additional tariffs on China, said Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University. 

Wu elaborated that through this white paper, China aims to clearly present to the international community, including the US, that the country has made proactive efforts to advance international cooperation in controlling the fentanyl problem. "In essence, it sets the record straight. At the same time, it also serves to undermine the US' justification for using this issue as a pretext to impose tariffs on China."

On Tuesday evening, China's National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) issued a statement regarding the white paper on fentanyl-related substances, stating that on May 1, 2019, China took the lead globally in classifying all fentanyl-related substances, which fully reflects its attitude in participating in global drug governance, the determination to promote global security governance, and the responsibilities as a major power. China has always practiced the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind and is willing to work hand in hand with other countries to address new issues and challenges such as fentanyl-related substances, the NNCC said on its official website.

China will continue to earnestly fulfill its international drug control obligations, deeply engage in international drug control affairs, firmly uphold the existing international drug control system, and comprehensively promote global co-governance of drug issues, according to the NNCC.