China executed four Canadians for drug crimes, says Ottawa

Canadian officials have confirmed that four Canadian citizens were executed in China earlier this year for drug-related crimes. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that all those executed were dual citizens, and their identities have not been publicly disclosed.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Canada urged Ottawa to "stop making irresponsible remarks." Previously, commentators had worried that the incident could further strain relations between the two countries after years of tension. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday that China acted "in accordance with the law," while the Chinese Embassy stated that there was "conclusive and sufficient" evidence of their crimes.

The Chinese Embassy stated that Beijing "fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the relevant Canadian nationals" and urged Canada to respect "China's judicial sovereignty." China does not recognize dual nationality and takes a tough stance against drug crimes. However, the execution of foreigners is not common.

Joly stated that she had been following the cases "very closely" for months and had attempted to prevent the executions with other officials, including former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Global Affairs Canada spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod said in a statement to Canadian media that Canada has "repeatedly called for clemency for these individuals, raised this at the highest levels, and remains steadfastly opposed to the use of the death penalty, anywhere, in all circumstances."

China imposes the death penalty for serious crimes, including drugs, corruption, and espionage. Although the number of executions is kept secret, human rights organizations believe that China has one of the highest execution rates in the world. Ketty Nivyabandi of Amnesty International Canada said: "These shocking and inhumane executions of Canadian citizens by the Chinese authorities should be a wake-up call for Canada." She added: "We grieve with the families of the victims, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to them as they struggle to come to terms with this unimaginable reality. We also remember the loved ones of Canadian citizens who have been sentenced to death or who have disappeared in China's prison system."

In 2019, Canadian citizen Robert Lloyd Schellenberg was sentenced to death in China for smuggling drugs, a high-profile case that was condemned by the Canadian government. He was not among the Canadians who were executed. Joly said on Wednesday: "We will continue to strongly condemn and request clemency for other Canadians facing similar situations."

Canada-China relations have been strained since Canada's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in 2018 at the request of the United States for extradition. China subsequently arrested two Canadians, who have since been released. In 2023, a series of reports were published by Canadian media, many based on leaked intelligence, detailing allegations of Chinese interference in the country's federal elections. China denied the reports, calling them "baseless and slanderous." More recently, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian agricultural and food imports after Ottawa imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.