China has expanded its list of controlled substances to combat emerging synthetic drugs, adding nitazenes—a potent class of synthetic opioids linked to global overdose deaths—and 12 other psychoactive compounds. The move follows last year's scheduling of 46 new psychotropic substances and reflects Beijing's efforts to address evolving narcotics challenges.
Wei Xiaojun, head of the Ministry of Public Security's narcotics control bureau, stated at a Thursday press conference that while China's drug situation remains "generally stable and controllable," authorities face mounting pressure from sophisticated drug-related crimes and rapidly mutating chemical formulas. Synthetic opioids like nitazenes pose particular risks due to their ability to trigger severe respiratory depression, with international health agencies reporting hundreds of fatalities tied to these substances since 2020.
The announcement comes amid intensified cross-border cooperation, including the 2024 launch of the China-U.S. Counternarcotics Working Group aimed at addressing America's fentanyl crisis. However, Chinese officials criticized U.S. trade policies for complicating collaboration, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson reiterating that "the fentanyl issue is fundamentally America's problem requiring domestic solutions."
China became the first nation to classify all fentanyl-related substances as controlled narcotics in 2019. A March 2024 white paper highlighted Beijing's commitment to international drug control frameworks, even as synthetic opioid deaths in the U.S. surpassed 40,000 annually. Analysts note the updated regulations could impact pharmaceutical supply chains and require enhanced screening measures for international shipments.
