Four Canadians executed by China over drug crimes this year: report

The Canadian government has strongly denounced China after reporting that four Canadian citizens were executed in the country earlier this year on drug smuggling charges.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced the news on Wednesday, stating that all four individuals held dual citizenship, per the BBC.

She emphasized that Canada would continue to push for leniency for other Canadians facing similar sentences. "There are four Canadians that have been executed and therefore we are strongly condemning what happened," Joly said. She confirmed that all had been convicted of drug-related offences.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa also criticized Canada’s response, demanding the country "stop making irresponsible remarks" and reaffirmed that China enforces strict drug laws with a zero-tolerance policy. The Chinese embassy did not confirm if the executions had taken place.

Relations between Canada and China have remained tense since 2018, when Canadian authorities arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States. In response, China detained two Canadian citizens, further straining diplomatic ties. All three were eventually released in 2021.

Economic tensions have also escalated. Earlier this month, China imposed tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products. The move was widely seen as retaliation for tariffs Canada placed on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products last year, reports Reuters.

China defended its actions, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating on Thursday that drug-related offences are taken seriously and that all cases are handled fairly. Mao urged Canada to "respect the spirit of the rule of law and stop interfering in China's judicial sovereignty."