Canada Condemns Execution of Four Citizens in China Over Drug Offenses

China defends executions as lawful under its zero-tolerance drug policies, further straining already tense bilateral relations.

Four Canadian citizens with dual Canadian-Chinese citizenship were executed in China for drug-related offenses, which China does not recognize as dual citizenship.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly strongly condemned the executions, stating that she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously appealed for clemency.
China defended its actions, emphasizing that the cases were handled in accordance with its laws and that it enforces strict penalties for drug crimes.
The executions mark another low point in Canada-China relations, already strained by trade disputes and past diplomatic conflicts, such as the Huawei executive's 2018 arrest.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, criticized the executions as inhumane and highlighted China's status as the global leader in annual executions.