China Tightens Fentanyl Rules Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit

China has introduced new guidelines for handling criminal cases involving fentanyl-related substances, strengthening its legal framework for combating synthetic opioid crimes ahead of a high-profile meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The guidelines were jointly issued by China’s Supreme People’s Court, Supreme People’s Procuratorate and Ministry of Public Security. They are designed to clarify standards for convictions and sentencing while ensuring consistent enforcement in fentanyl-related criminal cases.

Under the rules, fentanyl-related substances are divided into medicinal and non-pharmaceutical categories. Chinese authorities will investigate offenses including smuggling, trafficking, transportation, manufacturing and illegal possession. The measures also cover the use of the Internet to facilitate fentanyl-related crimes.

The announcement comes as Xi prepares to meet Trump in Washington for their second summit of 2026. Fentanyl has remained an important issue in U.S.-China relations, with the Trump administration pressing Beijing to strengthen controls on precursor chemicals that can be used to manufacture the synthetic opioid.

China also expanded export restrictions on drug precursor chemicals on Tuesday. Two additional substances were placed on a controlled export list, increasing the number of listed chemicals requiring permits for shipments to the United States, Mexico and Canada from 16 to 18.

Exporters must obtain permits before sending any of the 18 controlled chemicals, as well as their possible salts, to the three North American countries. The updated restrictions took effect on September 22.

The latest measures add to China’s existing controls on fentanyl-related substances and precursor chemicals. Beijing has previously said it supports international cooperation on combating illegal drugs while maintaining that the U.S. fentanyl crisis requires measures addressing both drug supply and domestic demand.

The timing places fentanyl enforcement among the issues drawing attention ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, alongside broader U.S.-China discussions on trade, technology and security.