Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Thursday marked the 38th International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Confronting the global drug problem characterized by emerging new drugs and rampant cross-border trafficking, China has forged a distinctive path in drug control, combining strict policies with thorough enforcement, while maintaining sound international cooperation. Through these efforts, China has not only effectively safeguarded its domestic social security, but also contributed Chinese wisdom and replicable solutions to the global governance of drug-related issues. 

As a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted on Tuesday, "China is one of the world's strictest countries on counternarcotics both in terms of policy and its implementation." Its approach to drug control is not a single-option response, but a multidimensional solution, forming a distinctive "China model" through sustained efforts across legislative, judicial, educational and technological fields.

According to the newly released "China Drug Situation in 2024" report, throughout the year, a total of 37,000 drug-related criminal cases were solved, down 12.9 percent year-on-year, 62,000 suspects were arrested, down 5.6 percent, 26.7 tons of drugs were seized, up 3 percent, and 193,000 drug users were detected, down 1 percent. Overall, the national drug situation continued to improve steadily, the report noted.

China has also dynamically updated its list of controlled substances. On June 19, the Office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission announced that China has included all nitazenes and 12 other kinds of new psychoactive substances on its list of controlled drugs, effectively responding to the rapid emergence of new synthetic drugs.

Beyond crackdowns and punishment, raising awareness is also a key part of the "Chinese model." The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has become a national awareness campaign in China, with numerous efforts ranging from campus education to community programs and from traditional outreach to social media engagement. 

Meanwhile, practical initiatives such as joint laboratories and smart data analysis platforms demonstrate China's continuous efforts to empower anti-drug practices through technological innovation.

All these efforts have yielded positive results and made significant global contributions. "For years, the Chinese government has upheld the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, working actively with other countries and international organizations in the fight against drugs, and continuously contributing Chinese experience and solutions to global drug governance," said Zhang Li, director of the drug control teaching and research office at the People's Public Security University of China.

Amid the growing global threat of synthetic drugs, particularly fentanyl, China took the initiative to tighten controls on two fentanyl precursor chemicals. This is a step taken by the Chinese government to fulfill its obligations as a signatory of the UN conventions on drug control with the aim of keeping precursor chemicals under strict control. It demonstrates China's attitude of actively participating in global drug governance and its sense of responsibility as a major country, the foreign ministry spokesperson pointed out.  

In terms of cross-border drug control cooperation, China has long maintained a joint law enforcement mechanism with other countries, actively promoting collaboration on drug enforcement operations, such as the joint "Safe Mekong" operation among six countries in the Mekong River region and the China-Australia "Flame" operation.

Notably, against the complex backdrop of China-US relations due in part to Washington's unfounded claims over the fentanyl issue, China still shows its sincerity for cooperation and continuously promotes dialogue and law enforcement collaboration on fentanyl control, while making clear that fentanyl is the US' problem, not China's.

The drug problem is a common challenge for all mankind, but some countries have tied it to geopolitical games. China opposes the politicization of drug-related issues, especially when certain countries attempt to shift the blame for their own drug problems onto China.

China has forged a "Chinese model" in the fight against drugs that can be emulated. This model is not only China's own way but also a part of the global drug control efforts. June 26 should not be a merely symbolic day but a clarion call for global joint action. In the face of the global drug crisis, only through cooperation and joint governance can we find a way out. China is already moving along this path - and other countries should join.