On Thursday, the Biden administration removed the Chinese Ministry of Public Security’s Institute of Forensic Science from a trade sanction list.
This move is part of an effort to encourage Beijing to take more decisive action against the trafficking of synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States.
In 2020, Washington had placed the institute on the sanctions list, citing alleged abuses against Uyghurs and other minority groups. This designation effectively restricted its access to most goods from U.S. suppliers.
Earlier reports indicated that the removal of the institute was anticipated as President Biden sought increased cooperation from Beijing on the fentanyl issue during a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco.
As part of their discussions, both leaders agreed to establish a working group focused on counter-narcotics cooperation. However, the decision to remove the institute from the sanctions list has raised concerns about the U.S. commitment to addressing China’s human rights abuses.
As part of their discussions, both leaders agreed to establish a working group focused on counter-narcotics cooperation. However, the decision to remove the institute from the sanctions list has raised concerns about the U.S. commitment to addressing China’s human rights abuses. Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer of Uyghur heritage, acknowledged the urgency of the fentanyl problem but questioned whether addressing one issue should take precedence over confronting genocide, citing the United States’ legal obligation to address atrocity crimes.