China offers US olive branch with fentanyl raids ahead of possible Trump visit
Beijing has a long history of on-off cooperation over exports of precursor chemicals, often tied to the general state of relations with Washington
China this week announced a major crackdown on fentanyl precursors, a move widely seen as a gesture of goodwill ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit.
The crackdown in the central province of Hubei started in December and included a raid on a company in the provincial capital Wuhan. It followed a tip-off from the US anti-drug authorities, who suspected the firm was selling precursor chemicals and stimulants.
The investigation is targeting the whole supply chain from production to export, state media reported.
As of last month, a dedicated task force was investigating 22 cases while seven people had been arrested and another 12 detained pending criminal investigation.
Four companies have received administrative penalties, while internet regulators have shut down more than 200 non-compliant company websites and removed over 400 illegal posts.