Given how tightly the Chinese government controls domestic drug production and distribution I'm very skeptical that this export operation is in-spite of Chinese government action, maybe at best they ignore it. That is what I was referencing, I think it is at least probable that the Chinese government tacitly condones the export of opioids to the US and don't lose much sleep over it. This was exactly the same thing that Britain did to China during the Opium Wars except that that also included military force whereas this is the black market approach that the US has traditionally used when they've done it.
To cut off a possible avenue of criticism, yes the US has done exactly the same thing in South America time and time again, that was wrong too.
Calling it a Reverse Opium War is ridiculous though, as China hasn't invaded, forced unequal treaties, or made the US cede Long Island.
I think you give too much credit to that government apparatus.
China has over a billion people, and if you think their government is one big well-oiled machine of surveillance and oppression, that might be a bit naïve..
Illicit drug production has been a worldwide problem forever. It's logistically impossible to keep tabs (no pun intended) on every legit lab 24/7 and even more impossible to find and shut down every illegal operation, in any country, much less one with such a massive population and also with such a production-focused economy.
Right, a US company issuing an apologetic press release to continue profiting off China is just like what China faced after the Opium Wars.