Small vials of fentanyl are shown in the inpatient pharmacy at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. (PHOTO / IC)
WASHINGTON – The Chinese embassy in the United States has strongly protested Washington's recent arrest and indictments of Chinese individuals and companies on fentanyl-related charges.
"US law enforcement personnel ensnared Chinese nationals through 'sting operation' in a third country and blatantly pressed charges against Chinese entities and individuals," a spokesperson for the embassy was quoted as saying in a statement released by the embassy on Monday.
The response from the embassy came as the US Department of Justice announced indictments on Friday charging China-based companies and their employees with crimes related to fentanyl production, distribution and sales resulting from precursor chemicals
"This seriously infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese nationals and companies concerned," the spokesperson said, noting that "China strongly condemns this move. The Chinese embassy in the United States has lodged serious demarches and strong protest to the US side."
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The response from the embassy came as the US Department of Justice announced indictments on Friday charging China-based companies and their employees with crimes related to fentanyl production, distribution and sales resulting from precursor chemicals.
"The US side, while repeatedly expressing its intention to resume counter-narcotics cooperation with China, has gone ahead to impose long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies and nationals through sanctions, indictments, arrest orders and even ensnaring. This string of actions is all about misguiding and misleading the public and shirking responsibilities for one's internal problems," the spokesperson said.
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"China's efforts to prevent the illegal manufacturing, trafficking and abuse of fentanyl speak for themselves. The US side, instead of recognizing China's contributions, has been scapegoating China through the tactics of sanctioning, smear and slander. This has seriously undercut the foundation of China-US cooperation on counter-narcotics," the spokesperson said.
"We urge the US to stop shifting the blame, stop smearing and attacking China, immediately lift all sanctions on Chinese counter-narcotics law enforcement institutions, stop using fentanyl-related issues as a pretext to sanction, indict or offer awards to hunt Chinese companies or nationals, stop the arbitrary detentions, and immediately release the Chinese nationals under illegal arrest," the spokesperson said.
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"China will continue to do what is necessary to firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and nationals," the spokesperson added.