BEIJING: China and Canada have agreed to deepen intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation against cross-border drug trafficking following talks in Ottawa on Tuesday, as rapidly evolving synthetic drugs pose growing risks to public health and security in both countries, according to a statement issued by the office of the China National Narcotics Control Commission on Wednesday.
The talks brought together officials from the Narcotics Control Bureau of China’s Ministry of Public Security and representatives of Public Safety Canada, Health Canada, the Department of Finance Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.
The delegations analyzed developments in the synthetic drug market, exchanged information on drug scheduling and regulatory controls, and discussed ways to strengthen oversight of financial and commercial systems to disrupt transnational trafficking networks, according to the statement.
Both sides highlighted the emergence of new psychoactive substances and the growing use of international shipping and parcel delivery channels by traffickers. They agreed to maintain regular communications, deepen intelligence sharing and operational coordination, manage differences constructively and cooperate in global drug control efforts, the statement said.
Ahead of the talks, an official from the MPS’ Narcotics Control Bureau held discussions with Canada’s fentanyl czar.
The talks build on commitments made during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to China in January.
In a joint statement issued on Jan 16, the leaders of the two countries pledged to strengthen law enforcement cooperation in accordance with their respective laws to combat transnational crimes, including synthetic drug trafficking, corruption, and telecom and cyber fraud.
They also agreed to continue annual meetings under the bilateral law enforcement cooperation working group, with counternarcotics dialogue forming a key part of the mechanism.
During the visit, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on combating crime between China’s MPS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Further discussions took place in July, when officials held the third China-Canada high-level dialogue on national security and the rule of law in Beijing. The two sides exchanged views on combating transnational crime, counterterrorism, drug control and cooperation on immigration law enforcement.
Both countries have also separately tightened controls on chemicals that could be diverted for illicit synthetic drug production.
In November 2025, China introduced export permit requirements for 13 fentanyl-related precursor chemicals destined for Canada, the United States and Mexico. It added three more chemicals in May and another two in September, bringing the total number of listed chemicals subject to permit requirements for exports to those countries to 18.
Chinese authorities also issued warnings in November 2025 and May, urging businesses to verify customers and prevent sensitive chemicals and equipment from entering illicit drug manufacturing channels. Customs officials have strengthened export risk assessments, while postal regulators have urged delivery companies to verify senders’ identities, inspect parcels and conduct security screenings.
Canada has likewise stepped up controls on drug precursors. Health Canada announced permanent controls on five fentanyl precursor chemicals in March. The department also has a dedicated unit to oversee precursor chemicals and their distribution channels and strengthen monitoring of illegal drug trends.
In a recent official update on its response to the fentanyl crisis, the Canadian government cited China’s expanded precursor export controls as part of international efforts to disrupt illegal drug supply chains.
The Ottawa talks underscored the two countries’ commitment to working together to address evolving drug threats and strengthen cooperation on global drug control. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
