Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, is linked to nearly 100,000 deaths annually in the United States, surpassing the fatality toll of many historical conflicts. On April 17, a significant U.S. Congressional hearing was convened to scrutinize the role of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in this burgeoning crisis. Central to the inquiry is whether the CCP’s involvement stems from negligence or a deliberate strategy to allow substantial quantities of fentanyl into the United States.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s public statements on the fentanyl issue contrast sharply with the reality depicted in the report, which indicates worsening conditions. The U.S. has gathered alarming evidence that underscores the severity of the issue.
“The first piece of evidence comes from investigations revealing that the CCP currently provides export subsidies to fentanyl manufacturers, which is quite alarming. While the CCP strictly controls fentanyl domestically, its export policies are lenient, and it even offers subsidies. U.S. investigations found that these subsidies have given businesses more confidence, with exports increasing by more than tenfold,” Mr. Li said.
Broader Accusations of Unrestricted Warfare
Mr. Li said that the CCP’s tactics represent a form of “unrestricted warfare,” which encompasses economic strategies such as dumping low-priced goods to undermine the U.S. manufacturing sector and espionage activities highlighted by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.Fentanyl: A Crisis Engineered With Startling Efficiency
China affairs specialist and senior commentator Tang Jingyuan spoke on the “Pinnacle View” program. He emphasized the dangerous potency and accessibility of fentanyl, which surpasses heroin by over 5,000 times in lethality.He outlined several key factors contributing to its widespread abuse: firstly, the precursors needed to manufacture fentanyl are inexpensive and readily available; secondly, the equipment required for its synthesis is both cheap and accessible; thirdly, the production process is technically simple and can be completed in just a few steps.
Alarming Developments
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted four Chinese companies involved in exporting 200 kilograms (440 lbs) of raw fentanyl materials. This quantity could potentially yield 50 kilograms (110 lbs) of pure fentanyl, enough to threaten the lives of 26 million Americans. Such statistics underscore the grave concern and heightened tensions between the U.S. and China regarding the control and distribution of this deadly drug.Mr. Tang described the CCP’s facilitation of fentanyl trafficking to the U.S. via Mexico and other means, including direct shipments in packages or envelopes, as akin to a “modern-day Opium War, far surpassing the intensity of the Opium Wars of 1840.”
Government Complicity and Global Consequences
Furthermore, Mr. Tang highlighted a compelling case: in 2018, Ben Westhoff, an award-winning American investigative journalist, traveled to Wuhan, a major hub for fentanyl production in China. After months of research, Mr. Westhoff published a detailed exposé on the production and export chain of fentanyl, from raw materials to finished products destined for Mexico or directly to the U.S.“This investigative work raises a critical question: if a single foreign journalist could so clearly delineate China’s fentanyl supply chain, how could the CCP, with its vast surveillance resources, be unaware of such activities within its borders?” Mr. Tang questioned.
CCP’s Unceasing Drug Production
On the program, Mr. Li traced the historical roots of the CCP’s involvement with narcotics, beginning with opium production in the Chinese city of Yan’an. This early activity was extensively documented in The Vladimirov Diaries by Petr Parfenovich Vladimirov, Moscow’s special envoy to China in the 1940s, who detailed how the CCP engaged in the production and sale of opium. Mr. Li highlighted that even after the CCP assumed power, it covertly continued these practices.Further insight was provided by Zhang Youjin, a Chinese historian based in the U.S., who interviewed descendants of individuals from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. These interviews revealed that members were involved in poppy cultivation and opium production, primarily aimed at foreign markets. Although poppy cultivation waned in the 1990s as China pursued membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and sought to improve U.S. relations, a shift towards producing ephedrine—a key ingredient in methamphetamine—was noted.
Mr. Li also brought to light a major drug bust in Shenzhen in the early 21st century, where a trafficking ring led by a Hong Kong national was apprehended with 30 tons of methamphetamine, which was then the equivalent of three years’ worth of global sales.
Historical Context and Current Implications
Adding to the discussion, Shi Shan, host of the “Pinnacle View” and senior editor at the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times, highlighted the origins of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, which evolved from the 359th Brigade led by Wang Zhen, a CCP general and political figure. This brigade, active in the opium trade during the Anti-Japanese War, largely avoided combat roles, focusing instead on narcotics.Mr. Shi said during his interviews with former opium producers in China, they had a distinction between two types of opium marketed during the war: “Southern Goods,” known for higher quality and price, and “Soviet Soil,” which was cheaper and more abundantly produced in Yan’an.
The Complex Dynamics of the International Drug War
Guo Jun, editor-in-chief of The Epoch Times’ Hong Kong edition, said on “Pinnacle View” that “the war against drugs has always been an international affair, requiring international cooperation.” She pointed out that while the U.S. has historically sourced its illicit drugs mainly from South America, this necessitates collaborative efforts with countries like Mexico and Colombia, as well as direct interventions.“If these countries do not cooperate, the U.S. must enforce cooperation through methods such as trade embargoes and sanctions against officials in those countries. The U.S. has taken many such measures, all in the effort to combat drugs,” Ms. Guo said.
Regarding China, Ms. Guo mentioned a key interaction in 2017 when then-President Trump directly addressed the drug issue with Chinese leader Xi, who pledged cooperation. Ms. Guo said that despite this, she believes Beijing continuously facilitated drug sales to the U.S., which significantly contributed to the ensuing trade war.
Potential Groundbreaking Intelligence Report Against the CCP
Ms. Guo pointed out a potentially groundbreaking U.S. intelligence report is underway.Angela Sohn, a spokeswoman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, confirmed with The Washington Times on April 10 that they are working on the report.
“The U.S. intelligence agencies are preparing a report on corruption and hidden wealth among CCP elites, which will be non-confidential and available to the public. The report targets [Chinese leader] Xi Jinping and other high-ranking officials, including all Central Committee members, Politburo members, Politburo Standing Committee members, and provincial party secretaries. Analysts suggest that this report will be a heavy blow to Beijing once published,” said Ms. Guo.
“The report will not only concern the officials themselves but may also include their family members, direct and indirect relatives, greatly amplifying its impact. This will strike the CCP on two levels: firstly, it will further erode public support for the CCP, particularly given its decade-long anti-corruption campaign, which may appear hypocritical if significant undisclosed wealth in the U.S. is revealed. Secondly, this could intensify internal conflicts within the party, as the legitimacy of [Chinese leader] Xi’s anti-corruption crusade could be called into question by the overseas holdings of his officials.”
By strategically choosing which details to disclose and the timing of such disclosures, the U.S. retains a powerful tool to influence the internal dynamics of the CCP, potentially destabilizing its leadership, Ms. Guo said.