China promotes high-profile law enforcer working with US in fentanyl fight to senior police job

Hu Binchen, director of International Cooperation Bureau and international face of China’s security forces, elevated in Ministry of Public Security

Highly decorated Liu Zhongyi, director of Criminal Investigation Bureau and famed for solving series of cold cases, also appointed assistant minister

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Hu Binchen was among two Chinese officials who jointly launched the US-China Counternarcotics Working Group during a visit by Jen Daskal to Beijing in January. Photo: Criminal Investigation Police University of China

Published: 3:32pm, 12 Apr 2024Updated: 5:20pm, 12 Apr 2024

China has promoted a veteran police officer who oversees cooperation with the US in the fight against fentanyl as assistant public security minister.

The promotion of Hu Binchen, the 53-year-old director of the International Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, to assistant minister rank and as member of the ministry’s Communist Party committee, was announced by the State Council, China’s cabinet, on Tuesday.

The ministry also promoted Liu Zhongyi, 59, director of its Criminal Investigation Bureau, to the same position, according to the announcement.

The promotion of Hu, who is widely regarded as the international face of China’s security forces, came as China and the United States renewed bilateral law enforcement and security engagement following an ice-breaking summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his United States counterpart Joe Biden in San Francisco in November.

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In January, Hu was among two Chinese officials who jointly launched the US-China Counternarcotics Working Group during a visit to Beijing by the US deputy assistant to the president and deputy homeland security adviser Jen Daskal.

Hu first caught international media attention in November 2021 when he gained one of two seats representing Asia on Interpol ’s executive committee, despite allegations by international human rights groups and lawmakers over human rights abuses in China. At the time, Hu was the International Cooperation Bureau’s deputy director.

China promotes high-profile law enforcer working with US in fentanyl fight to senior police job

Hu Binchen, director of International Cooperation Bureau and international face of China’s security forces, elevated in Ministry of Public Security Highly decorated Liu Zhongyi, director of Criminal Investigation Bureau and famed for solving series of cold cases, also appointed assistant minister