China’s National Narcotic Control Commission has officially added 13 new substances—such as nitroxindole and trifluoroethyl imidate—to its list of controlled drugs. This latest update is part of an ongoing national effort to strengthen oversight and prevent the misuse and spread of these potentially dangerous compounds.
To effectively monitor and manage emerging drug threats, the commission has developed a comprehensive drug abuse surveillance system and a strong legal foundation for substance regulation. These tools enable authorities to identify and respond to both current and potential risks posed by new psychoactive substances (NPS).
Since June, when China previously added 46 NPS to its controlled list, the commission has continued to track drug trends. Through its monitoring efforts, it discovered that certain substitutes related to previously regulated nitroxindole and imidate compounds were being abused domestically, prompting swift regulatory action.
Shan Yehua, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Narcotics Control Commission, explained that after extensive research, evaluation, and regulatory review, the commission decided to classify nitroxindole and 12 other new psychoactive substances as controlled drugs. He noted that implementing whole-class regulation for nitroxindole substances represents a pioneering global approach, similar to previous regulatory measures taken for fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids. This move marks an important milestone in curbing the rise of drug-related criminal activities.
Shan emphasized that controlling NPS is a shared challenge faced by countries worldwide—one that no single nation can tackle alone. He stressed that international cooperation is essential. “Practicing strict drug control has always been a consistent stance and firm commitment of the Chinese government,” Shan said. He added that the adoption of whole-class regulation and the rapid inclusion of newly identified substances reflect the distinctive features of China’s drug governance model. “We are willing to collaborate with the international community to contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to this pressing global issue,” he stated.
This latest expansion of China’s controlled substance list underscores the country’s dedication to combating drug abuse and highlights its active role in the global fight against narcotics.
