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China adds chemicals to narcotics precursor list

By Reuters Reuters

Updated May 22, 2026 1:09 AM

U.S. and China’s national flags flutter next to the Tiananmen Gate featuring a portrait of China’s late Chairman Mao Zedong, during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov — U.S. and China’s national flags flutter next to the Tiananmen Gate featuring a portrait of China’s late Chairman Mao Zedong, during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China, in Beijing, China, May 15, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov Maxim Shemetov Reuters

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BEIJING - China on Friday added three chemicals to its catalogue of prohibited precursor chemicals for exporting to the U.S., Mexico and Canada, a statement released by the commerce ministry showed.

On the same day, China's National Narcotics Control Commission issued a notice warning of eight chemicals that could be used to make synthetic drugs, ordering relevant entities to "strictly comply with domestic and foreign laws and regulations when engaging in related business and export trade activities."

(Reporting by Yukun Zhang, Shi Bu, Xiuhao Chen and Ryan Woo)

General Director of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) Oleg Dobrodeyev embraces China Media Group President Shen Haixiong in the Great Hall of the People during Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to China, in Beijing, China May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool — General Director of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) Oleg Dobrodeyev embraces China Media Group President Shen Haixiong in the Great Hall of the People during Russian President Vladimir Putin visit to China, in Beijing, China May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool Maxim Shemetov Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 12:27 AM.