China and US Deepen Counternarcotics Cooperation Following High-Level Engagements

Introduction

Recent developments indicate a significant advancement in joint counternarcotics efforts between China and the United States. Both nations have intensified their collaboration, leading to investigations into multiple cases and fostering close communication between their respective interagency teams. This renewed focus on anti-drug cooperation follows high-level diplomatic engagements aimed at addressing the global challenge of illicit drug trafficking.

Resumption of Cooperation and Key Meetings

The current phase of enhanced cooperation largely stems from a crucial agreement reached during the November 2023 summit in San Francisco between President Xi Jinping and President Joe Biden. This summit marked a diplomatic breakthrough, leading to the resumption of bilateral counternarcotics cooperation that had been suspended since August 2022. Following this, the U.S.-China Counternarcotics Working Group (CNWG) was officially launched in January 2024, holding its inaugural meeting to coordinate efforts against the manufacturing and trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl. Throughout the first half of 2024, frequent exchanges occurred, including meetings between Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, as well as with Rahul Gupta, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. More recently, narcotics control authorities from both countries have been implementing the consensus reached by their heads of state at a meeting in Busan, South Korea, on October 30. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Public Security stated that these efforts have yielded 'notable results'.

Joint Investigations and Policy Actions

The collaborative efforts have translated into concrete actions on the ground. In June 2024, Chinese police initiated an investigation into a case involving illegal foreign exchange transactions linked to drugs and money laundering, acting on intelligence provided by the United States. The People's Republic of China also announced the arrest of an individual indicted in the U.S. for involvement in a money laundering scheme on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel. A significant joint law enforcement operation occurred in February 2025 in the South China Sea. Based on intelligence from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Chinese anti-drug authorities and the China Coast Guard intercepted a trafficking operation, leading to the capture of seven criminal suspects and the seizure of over 4,900 kilograms of methamphetamine near Huangyan Island. Both nations have also focused on regulatory measures. In August 2024, China announced its intention to schedule three essential fentanyl precursors, a move welcomed by the U.S. as a valuable step forward. China had previously made a landmark decision in 2019 to schedule all fentanyl-related substances as a class, becoming the first country globally to do so.

Interagency Communication and Future Outlook

Close communication between interagency counternarcotics teams has been a cornerstone of this renewed cooperation. These teams have held regular video conferences to exchange progress and deliberate on priority areas for future collaboration. The July 2024 CNWG meeting in Washington, D.C., saw officials discussing ways to:

• Strengthen coordination on law enforcement actions.
• Disrupt the illicit financing of transnational criminal organization networks.
• Accelerate the scheduling of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals.
• Exchange information on emerging threats.

Chinese officials have emphasized that cooperation will proceed on the basis of 'mutual respect, managing differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation' to jointly address global drug issues. This ongoing dialogue and operational collaboration underscore a shared commitment to combating the international drug trade.