The recent summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden at the Philori Estate in San Francisco has ushered in a significant chapter for bilateral anti-drug efforts. The leaders agreed to renew cooperation to combat global illegal drug production and trafficking, with a particular focus on fentanyl.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting is the establishment of a dedicated working group aimed at fostering continuous communication and law enforcement coordination on counter-narcotics issues. This collaborative approach is expected to enhance the effectiveness of joint operations against drug trafficking networks.
In a related development, the U.S. government announced on November 16 that it would remove the Institution of Forensic Science of the Ministry of Public Security, including China's National Narcotics Laboratory, from the \"entity list\" and lift existing sanctions. This move signifies a strengthening of ties and mutual trust in the realm of drug control.
Experts highlight two primary reasons behind the progress in China-U.S. drug control cooperation:
- Long-Standing Collaboration: Since the 1980s, China and the U.S. have maintained a cooperative relationship in drug control. The 1987 Memorandum of Cooperation on Drug Control laid the foundation for intelligence sharing, technology exchange, judicial mutual learning, and joint actions in Southeast Asia. Over the decades, this partnership has adapted to changing political landscapes, consistently aiming to curb drug trafficking and related crimes.
- Shared Challenges: The emergence of new psychoactive substances like fentanyl poses a formidable challenge to global anti-drug initiatives. Both nations recognize the importance of addressing drug-related money laundering, reducing the flow of precursor chemicals, and enhancing public awareness to combat the demand and disrupt drug cartels.
Despite the fluctuating dynamics in China-U.S. relations, the commitment to combating drug trafficking remains unwavering. The collaboration extends to high-level dialogue mechanisms, including annual narcotics intelligence exchanges and the Joint Liaison Group on Law Enforcement Cooperation.
As the world grapples with the pervasive issue of illegal drugs, the renewed cooperation between China and the U.S. serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even amidst broader geopolitical tensions, collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful progress in safeguarding global communities.
Reference(s):
China-U.S. summit opened a new chapter for anti-drug cooperation
cgtn.com
