Fentanyl is U.S.'s problem, not China's: FM spokesperson

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China has made it clear more than once that fentanyl is the U.S.'s problem, not China's, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Tuesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks when asked about details on the next stages of the trade talks with the United States and what talks are planned on the fentanyl issue given that the 20 percent tariffs linked to that remain in place.

Lin said that China's competent authorities have released information on the China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs.

"As for the fentanyl issue, China has made it clear more than once that fentanyl is the U.S.'s problem, not China's. It's the U.S.'s responsibility to solve the issue," Lin said.

He added that despite the goodwill China has shown, the United States wrongly slapped tariffs on Chinese imports by citing the issue of fentanyl. The move has dealt a heavy blow to China-U.S. dialogue and cooperation on counternarcotics, and gravely hurt China's interests.

"If the U.S. truly wants to cooperate with China, it should stop vilifying and shifting the blame on China, and seek dialogue with China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit," Lin said.