China tightens rules on fentanyl-related crimes

China has issued a set of guidelines for handling criminal cases involving fentanyl-related substances, one day before a meeting between President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. The measures aim to ensure uniform enforcement of the law and respond to pressure from the Washington administration to limit exports of chemical precursors used to produce this lethal opioid.

The new rules, published by the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, establish quantitative criteria for convictions and sentences. The substances are divided into medicinal and non-medicinal categories.

Chinese authorities will investigate cases involving smuggling, trafficking, transportation, manufacturing and illegal possession, as well as the use of the internet to commit related offenses. The guidelines thus clarify how cases related to fentanyl and the substances used to produce it will be handled.

Separately, China added two chemicals to its export control list for drug precursors. Exports to the United States, Mexico and Canada will require authorization. Washington has repeatedly urged Beijing to stop the flow of these substances to the United States.