New restrictions on the synthetic opioid, fentanyl means changes to China's drug laws. Those caught with serious consequences once the new measure goes into effect. CGTN's Cui Hui'ao tells us more.  

After four months of reclassification procedures, China announces some of the world's toughest restrictions on the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Starting May first, the government will add fentanyl-related substances to its list of controlled drugs. A move aimed at curtailing the manufacturing and distribution of the cheap and potent drug.

LIU YUEJIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR CHINESE NATIONAL NARCOTIC CONTROL COMMISSION "The efforts to control the whole class of fentanyl-related substances will stop criminals with impunity from producing substances, by making simple modifications regarding one of several atoms or functional groups."

The new measures place restrictions on 25 fentanyl derivatives, 4 more than what the United Nations has in place. In recent years, fentanyl abuse has become a global problem, particularly in the U.S., where the number of overdose deaths has increased 45% in just the last three years. It killed nearly 30,000 Americans in 2017, putting it on a par with fatal car accidents and gun violence. At Monday's press conference, Liu denied the accusation that China has contributed to the fentanyl crisis in America, saying the root problem is within the U.S itself.

LIU YUEJIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR CHINESE NATIONAL NARCOTIC CONTROL COMMISSION "Accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, the U.S. consumes 80 percent of the world's opioid drugs. Large pharmaceutical companies sponsor experts to draw biased conclusions that opioid drugs are harmless. The supervision is lacking, so is  public campaign on the danger of drugs."

Though China so far is not a victim of fentanyl abuse, Liu says it is a worldwide problem, and cannot be addressed by a single country alone. He also says China will enforce its laws "even more comprehensively" after the latest announcement and "bring violators to justice without mercy".

STEFAN THORSELL NORDIC POLICE AND CUSTOMS LIASON OFFICER "The fight against illegal drugs can only be won by international cooperation. This is why we are looking forward to working with Chinese law-enforcement agencies."

CUI HUI'AO BEIJING "While China is doing its part, countries around the globe are all advised to address the issue of Fentanyl together, for instance, to tighten more control on imports of it and to come up with a more rigorous system as to who can buy, process and refine Fentanyl. Cui Hui'ao, CGTN, Beijing."