Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recently engaged in discussions with his Chinese counterparts in Vienna, Austria. The central focus of these discussions was to strategize ways to halt the production and distribution of fentanyl and associated compounds within China. This meeting followed a conversation between President Biden and President Xi at the Woodside Summit in November, where they discussed similar concerns. As a result, the U.S.-People's Republic of China (PRC) Counternarcotics Working Group held its inaugural meeting in January.
"This morning, I joined the Council of Governors to address issues of critical importance to our country. First, I shared with the Council the tools and resources the bipartisan border legislation would provide us to fix our broken asylum system and strengthen our border security," said N. Mayorkas, according to X. "In the Council meeting I also reported on my recent meeting in Vienna with PRC leaders, as we seek their aggressive crackdown on Chinese companies that export precursor chemicals and equipment used to manufacture fentanyl and other illicit synthetic drugs. Lastly, I spoke of the campaign we soon will launch to combat the horrific and worldwide crime of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Only in partnership with one another can we successfully tackle the challenges that threaten the safety of our children and our homeland."
According to a DHS news release, Mayorkas not only addressed the issue of halting fentanyl production but also broached the topic of related equipment with PRC State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong. The primary objective is to foster information sharing that can help curb the spread of illicit synthetic drugs by transnational criminal organizations.
Mayorkas and Xiaohong reiterated their commitment to multilateral cooperation, technical bilateral exchanges between scientists and other experts, scheduling precursor chemicals, and continued law enforcement collaboration. They also expressed concern over areas within their bilateral relationship that have raised alarm bells. A renewed sense of purpose emerged from the meeting for both nations to protect children from online child sexual exploitation and abuse. Joining Mayorkas at this crucial meeting were senior officials from other federal government agencies such as the Department of Justice and Customs and Border Protection.
