Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Four Canadians were executed in China on drug-related charges earlier this year, Canadian authorities have confirmed. All of them were dual citizens and their identities have been withheld, Canada’s foreign minister Mélanie Joly said. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canada reportedly urged Ottawa to ‘stop making irresponsible remarks,’ as pundits feared a further downturn in relations between the countries after years of strain. China’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that it had acted ‘in accordance with the law,’ while the embassy said there was ‘solid and sufficient’ evidence for their crimes. Beijing had ‘fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned,’ the embassy said, urging Canada to respect ‘China’s judicial sovereignty.’ China does not recognise dual citizenship and takes a tough stance on drug crimes. However, it’s rare for the death penalty to be carried out on foreigners.” (03/20/25)