On 22 January 2021, the EU and China officially launched a dialogue on the topic of illicit drugs and the control thereof. The opportunity was taken to exchange views and information on the current situation and to access policies of the EU and China. Issues discussed included alternatives to coercive sanctions, new psychoactive substances, and the exchange of experience and best practice in the field of drug rehabilitation and treatment from a public health perspective.

The EU-China dialogue forms part of the key objectives set out in the EU Drugs Strategy 2021-2025 (approved by the Council on 18 December 2020). The strategy delineates the political framework and priorities for the EU's drug policy from now until 2025. In particular, the EU will focus on two main drug-related issues, namely supply reduction and demand reduction.