Beijing, China | March 21, 2025:
China has executed four Canadian citizens for drug-related offenses earlier this year, despite repeated appeals for clemency from Canadian officials, Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed.
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly strongly condemned the executions, stating that she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had urged Beijing for leniency. However, China defended its actions, asserting that the individuals had received fair trials and were prosecuted following Chinese law.
The executed individuals were dual citizens, though China does not recognize dual nationality. The Chinese embassy in Canada stated that the convictions were backed by “solid and sufficient” evidence and urged Ottawa to respect China’s judicial sovereignty.
Canada’s Global Affairs spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod reiterated the government’s opposition to the death penalty, emphasizing that Ottawa had provided consular support to the affected families.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the executions as “shocking and inhumane,” calling them a wake-up call for Canada. Reports indicate that around 100 Canadians remain detained in China, with several facing drug-related charges.
The move is expected to further strain already tense Canada-China relations, which have been deteriorating since Canada’s 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of U.S. authorities. Shortly after, China detained two Canadians, sparking accusations of retaliatory arrests.
More recently, tensions have escalated over allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections and trade disputes, with both nations imposing tariffs on key exports.
Observers warn that the executions signal Beijing’s hardened stance toward Ottawa. Peter Humphrey, a British investigator specializing in China, called the move “unprecedented,” suggesting that it underscores China’s unwillingness to mend ties with Canada. Keep Reading Questiqa.com.
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