China, U.S. launch anti-narcotics workgroup, Beijing hopes for 'positive energy'

The U.S. and China launched a joint counter-narcotics working group on Tuesday, with a senior official saying Beijing hoped the shared initiative would bring "more positive energy" to links between the superpowers.

"We had in depth communication and were pragmatic. We reached common understanding on the work plan for the working group," China's Minister of Public Security, Wang Xiaohong, said in an address before the body's inauguration in Beijing.

Ties between the two countries have been tense in recent years over a range of issues including the origins of COVID-19, trade tariffs, Taiwan and human rights.