After months of investigation, the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China released a report on Tuesday, April 16, exposing the role played by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the widespread fentanyl crisis in the United States. The comprehensive report revealed seven shocking discoveries, illustrating how the CCP has been covertly aiding the export of fentanyl materials and other synthetic drugs through direct subsidies and incentives.
The investigation labeled this as the CCP’s “war on drugs” against the United States.
It was found that while the CCP publicly promised to cooperate with the US in combating fentanyl exports, in reality, when the US sought assistance, the CCP would alert Chinese companies targeted by the US.
The Commission explained that the information used for the investigation was collected through deep dives into Chinese public websites, analysis of CCP government documents, gathering of over 37,000 unique data points on online drug-selling companies in China through network searches and data analysis, secret communications with drug trafficking companies in China, and consultations with experts in both the public and private sectors.
According to the Commission, “Under CCP leadership, China is the ultimate geographical source of the fentanyl crisis. Chinese companies produce nearly all illicit fentanyl precursors, which are key ingredients driving the global illicit fentanyl trade.” The purpose of initiating this investigation was to gain a better understanding of the role of the CCP in the fentanyl crisis.
The report summarized seven shocking findings from the investigation:
1. The CCP government did not assist the US in combating fentanyl but instead “directly subsidized” the production and export of illicit fentanyl materials and other synthetic drugs through tax rebates. Many of these materials are illegal under Chinese law, with no known legitimate use worldwide.
2. The CCP government provided financial subsidies and rewards to companies openly trafficking illicit fentanyl materials and synthetic drugs.
3. There were instances where some companies even hosted on-site inspections by CCP provincial government officials who praised these companies for their economic impact at the provincial level.
4. The report found that the CCP-controlled Chinese government holds ownership interests in multiple companies related to drug trafficking, including a CCP government prison involved in human rights violations that owns a drug chemical company, and a publicly listed Chinese company with thousands of cases of openly trafficking drugs on its website.
Despite CCP’s promises during high-level meetings with the US to cooperate on combating fentanyl, the report uncovered the CCP’s covert actions.
The investigation revealed that the CCP government “did not prosecute fentanyl manufacturers and precursors.” Chinese security agencies not only failed to investigate drug traffickers but also did not cooperate with US law enforcement agencies, informants passing on information to US investigation targets when assistance requests from the US were received.
The report pointed out that the CCP-controlled Chinese government allows the public sale of fentanyl precursors and other illegal substances on the highly monitored Chinese internet.
Reviews of just seven e-commerce websites revealed over 31,000 instances of Chinese companies selling illegal chemicals associated with drug trafficking. Secret communications with drug trafficking companies in China, whose identities have been provided to US law enforcement, indicated that these companies engaging in obvious illegal drug sales with no fear of punishment.
The investigation also found that the CCP government reviews content related to domestic drug sales but does not inspect content focused on drug exports.
The report explained that while the CCP has established review triggers for domestic drug sales (such as setting up keywords like “fentanyl + cash on delivery”), no such triggers are in place to monitor or prevent the export of illegal drugs outside China.
It was discovered that the CCP government is gaining “strategic and economic benefits” from foreign fentanyl crises.
The Commission stated that the fentanyl crisis, originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and other mass-produced synthetic drugs, is causing devastating impacts not only in the US but globally. This is indeed a global crisis.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic known for its rapid onset, short duration of action, and potency being 50 times stronger than heroin and over 100 times stronger than morphine, with just a few grains being lethal.
The investigation indicated that the CCP employs an asymmetric strategy, the “war on drugs,” against the US. It mentioned a book by CCP military strategists Wang Xiangsui and Qiao Liang, “Unrestricted Warfare,” which discusses the “war on drugs” as an effective asymmetric strategy in various sections.
Former US President Trump once stated in a cabinet meeting that the opioid drugs, primarily fentanyl, originating from China, are a “form of warfare.”
In a white paper released by the US military in 2014, it was disclosed that the CCP’s export of “drug wars” and “cultural wars” aimed to disrupt opponents’ moral structures and weaken them.
Based on the investigation results, the Commission recommended strengthening US sanctioning powers and actively coordinating the use of these powers to combat entities involved in the fentanyl trade.
Fentanyl crisis is considered one of the most terrifying disasters the US has ever faced. On average, over 200 Americans die from fentanyl daily. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45 and a major factor contributing to the historical decline in life expectancy. It has led to millions suffering from addiction and has decimated countless families and communities.
The Commission concluded that the involvement of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the fentanyl crisis poses a global threat that requires urgent attention and action to address effectively.