The Canadian government has confirmed that four of its citizens were executed in China earlier this year on drug-related charges, escalating already strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that all four individuals held dual citizenship, but their identities have been withheld. The executions mark a rare instance of China carrying out the death penalty on foreign nationals.
China Defends Executions Amid Diplomatic Fallout
China’s foreign ministry defended the executions, asserting that they were carried out “in accordance with the law.” The Chinese embassy in Canada also stated that the country had “solid and sufficient” evidence against the individuals and had “fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned.”
Beijing urged Ottawa to respect its “judicial sovereignty” and warned against making “irresponsible remarks.” This comes as political analysts fear the incident could further damage bilateral relations, which have been tense for years.
Canada Condemns Executions, Calls for Clemency
Joly revealed that she had been monitoring the cases closely for months and, along with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had made multiple attempts to appeal for clemency.
A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, Charlotte MacLeod, reiterated the government’s opposition to capital punishment. “Canada has repeatedly called for clemency for these individuals at the senior-most levels and remains steadfast in its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere,” she said.
Amnesty International Canada strongly condemned the executions, calling them “shocking and inhumane.” Secretary General Ketty Nivyabandi expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, stating, “We are devastated for their loved ones, and we also remain deeply concerned about other Canadian citizens currently on death row in China.”
China’s Tough Stance on Drug Crimes
China is known for its strict policies on drug offenses, with the death penalty frequently imposed for serious crimes, including drug trafficking, corruption, and espionage. While exact execution figures remain secret, human rights groups estimate that China carries out one of the highest numbers of executions globally.
The case has drawn comparisons to that of Canadian national Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was sentenced to death in 2019 on drug smuggling charges. His sentence was widely condemned by the Canadian government, though he was not among the individuals executed this year.
Ongoing Diplomatic Strains Between Canada and China
Tensions between Canada and China have remained high since 2018, when Canada detained Meng Wanzhou, a Chinese telecom executive, at the request of the United States. Shortly after, China arrested two Canadian citizens in what many saw as retaliatory action. While the two Canadians were later released, relations have remained frosty.
More recently, China has imposed tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural products in response to Canada’s levies on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Allegations of Chinese interference in Canada’s elections have further fueled diplomatic disputes.
Joly reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to seeking clemency for any other citizens facing the death penalty in China. “We will continue to strongly condemn these actions and advocate for leniency for other Canadians in similar situations,” she said.
Looking Ahead
As diplomatic tensions continue to mount, Canada’s response to these executions is expected to play a critical role in future relations with China. While Ottawa has called for accountability, China remains firm in defending its judicial decisions, setting the stage for further diplomatic challenges in the coming months.
