Contribute Chinese wisdom to the global drug problem governance

In the face of the worsening global drug situation, as a responsible major country, China not only actively supports and participates in the construction of a global drug control system based on the United Nations Convention on Drugs and Crime, but also takes the initiative to promote the institutionalization of drug control cooperation through bilateral, multilateral, and regional mechanisms, contributing China's experience, solutions, and strength to the governance of the global drug problem, fulfilling its mission as a major country, and taking responsibility for the future of humanity.

China is a major contributor to the global drug problem governance. China is firmly committed to the path of tackling the drug problem with Chinese characteristics. By continuously promoting the people's war against drugs, adopting a zero tolerance policy towards drugs, and carrying out the "clearing the source and cutting off the flow" campaign, we will vigorously rectify prominent drug problems and make every effort to prevent and control the risk of drug problems rebounding; Deepen the governance of the new drug problem through border control and management of drug manufacturing materials, and strictly prevent controlled chemicals from flowing into drug manufacturing channels through international trade; By comprehensively carrying out drug prevention publicity and education, promoting the "Safe Care" campaign on a regular basis, and continuously strengthening the assistance and treatment of drug users, strengthening the rule of law in drug control, emphasizing innovation driven, and building a drug governance pattern of co construction, co governance, and sharing. Over the years, the scale of drug abuse in China has continued to shrink, and the effectiveness of drug abuse control has become increasingly evident. The drug situation in China continues to improve, making significant contributions to the good governance of the global drug problem.

China is an important creator and supporter of the current global drug control system. The international community first truly realized that the drug problem is a global issue that requires joint efforts from the international community to combat it, which began with the Chinese government's active response and hosting of the 1909 "Shanghai International Anti Smoking Conference". China has been an important promoter and participant in a series of international drug control conventions subsequently adopted by the international community. At the same time, China is also an important supporter and contracting party of the three cornerstones of the current United Nations global anti drug system - the amended 1961 Single Convention on Narcotics, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the Chinese government actively supports the international anti drug work led by the United Nations at multiple levels and in all aspects, deeply participates in the anti drug actions organized and led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Commission on Narcotics Control, and the International Narcotics Control Board, and actively contributes wisdom and strength to the global anti drug cause.

China is an important promoter and practitioner of the institutionalization of bilateral, multilateral, and regional drug control cooperation. Faced with the "global enemy" of drugs, China attaches great importance to cooperation with drug producing, transit, and consuming countries, and promotes poppy eradication and crop substitution programs in drug source areas through economic assistance and training of anti drug officials; Strictly crack down on the illegal production, manufacturing, and trafficking of drugs through information exchange and joint law enforcement actions; China also attaches great importance to assisting these countries in capacity building, strengthening their hematopoietic function, and helping them achieve sustainable development. At the same time, the Chinese government actively promotes the institutionalization of regional drug control cooperation through platforms such as BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and works together with member countries to make important contributions to addressing the global drug threat and building a drug free society.

China is a pioneer in the global regulation of whole class fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid substances. Starting from May 1, 2019, the Chinese government took the lead in implementing a comprehensive classification and management of fentanyl based substances; Starting from July 1, 2021, the Chinese government has classified and regulated synthetic cannabinoid substances. China demonstrates its responsibility as a major country, shaping the future through intelligent governance, and becoming the world's first country to comprehensively regulate fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid substances. Among them, China has introduced the concept of "class substances" and implemented "category based control" on fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoid substances, which not only improves the legal regulatory system of drug control and provides strong legal support for cracking down on and punishing various new types of drug crimes, but also contributes to the global efforts to solve the illegal manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of such drugs.

China is one of the countries in the world with the largest number of regulated drug types and the strictest control over key chemicals. At present, China has listed 509 types of narcotic drugs (including 123 types of anesthetics, 166 types of psychotropic drugs, and 220 types of non pharmaceutical anesthetics and psychotropic drugs), and also classified fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids as a whole. Starting from September 1, 2024, China has included 7 substances including 4- (N-phenylamino) piperidine in the Regulations on the Management of Precursor Chemicals. At the same time, the country has also revised the "Regulations on the Administration of Anesthetic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances", which will come into effect on January 20, 2025, further optimizing the control of narcotic drugs. The Chinese government strictly enforces drug control, steadfastly follows the path of drug problem governance with Chinese characteristics, and resolutely promotes the modernization of the drug problem governance system and governance capacity, contributing Chinese wisdom to global drug problem governance and sustainable development.

On February 1st Eastern Time, US President Trump signed a new presidential decree linking the fentanyl crisis in the United States to China's tariff issues. This reversal of causality disregards facts and is not the right way to address the root causes of the crisis and solve it. The United States must face its own problems, identify the causes, dissect the pathology, and address both symptoms and root causes. On the basis of strengthening its domestic crisis management of fentanyl and synthetic opioid substances, it should actively strengthen collaborative cooperation with the international community, including China and Mexico. It should make good use of platforms such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Commission on Drugs and Crime, and the International Narcotics Control Board, fully consider the reasonable allocation of international drug control responsibilities and obligations, reconstruct strategic mutual trust, consolidate cooperation consensus, and find solutions through stable and predictable close contacts. (Zhang Yong'an, Director of the International Drug Control Policy Research Center at Shanghai University)