China willing to strengthen drug control cooperation with US: FM spokesperson

BEIJING -- China is willing to work with the United States to step up drug control cooperation and make it a highlight of bilateral ties, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks when commenting on the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Jim Carroll's recent visit to China, pledging China's willingness to contribute to promoting global joint management of fentanyl-like substances and protecting safety and health of world people.

Carroll expressed gratitude for China's efforts to include all fentanyl-related substances into the control list and pledged to strengthen pragmatic cooperation on drug control between the two sides, according to Geng.

"The Chinese government always attaches high importance to drug control, strictly enforces anti-narcotics policies and maintains a zero-tolerance attitude on drug-related issues," Geng said.

China began scheduling fentanyl-related substances on May 1. "This demonstrates the Chinese government's resolve to safeguarding the safety and health of Chinese people, as well as its responsibility to actively participate in the global management of drugs and safeguard the safety and stability of the world," Geng said.