China defended its execution of four Canadian citizens in recent weeks, maintaining that it acted “in accordance with the law” despite sharp condemnation from Canada. The latest incident further strains relations between the two nations, already embroiled in a series of diplomatic clashes over the past several years.
On Wednesday, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly expressed strong disapproval over the executions, stating that Canada had made appeals for leniency, which Beijing ultimately ignored. “We strongly condemn the executions that did happen against Canadians in China,” Joly told reporters in Ottawa. However, she refrained from providing further details, citing privacy concerns for the families of the individuals involved.
Beijing suggested that the Canadians were convicted of narcotics-related offenses, justifying the capital punishment on the grounds that drug crimes pose a significant threat to society. “Combating drug crimes is the common responsibility of all countries,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning during a press conference on Thursday.
Mao reiterated that China upholds the rule of law and does not discriminate against foreign nationals in its judicial processes. “China is a country under the rule of law,” she stated. “It treats defendants of different nationalities equally without discrimination and handles cases fairly in strict accordance with the law.”
Additionally, Beijing assured that the legal rights of the accused were upheld, including their access to consular representation. The Chinese embassy in Canada issued a separate statement to The Globe and Mail, saying: “Drug-related crime is a severe crime recognized worldwide as extremely harmful to society. China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards the drug problem.”
The Canadian government, however, remains adamant that the executions were a grave human rights concern. Joly revealed that she, along with former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—who stepped down last week—had personally pleaded with Chinese authorities for clemency. Their appeals fell on deaf ears.
China’s use of capital punishment, particularly in cases involving foreign nationals, remains a contentious issue on the international stage. The country classifies its death penalty statistics as a state secret, but rights organizations such as Amnesty International estimate that thousands of executions occur annually, far exceeding numbers reported in any other country.
The latest executions have deepened the divide between Beijing and Ottawa, whose relationship has been fraught with diplomatic disputes for several years. Tensions escalated dramatically in December 2018 when Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the request of the United States. Shortly afterward, China detained two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on espionage charges, widely seen as retaliatory actions. The pair, known as “the Two Michaels,” were released in 2021 after Meng reached a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. authorities.
Beyond the Meng Wanzhou case, Canada and China have clashed over multiple issues. In recent years, Ottawa has accused Beijing of meddling in Canadian elections, with allegations surfacing regarding Chinese interference in both the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. China has consistently denied these claims.
Further worsening ties, in 2023, Joly expelled a Chinese diplomat from Canada, accusing him of targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong and his family. Chong has been a vocal critic of Beijing’s policies, particularly regarding human rights abuses.
China’s domestic policies, particularly in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, have also been a source of friction. Canada has openly criticized Beijing’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong and its treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority, which some Western nations, including Canada, have labeled as genocide.
China’s execution of foreign nationals is not an unprecedented event, but cases involving Western countries often spark international outrage. The latest move is likely to heighten global scrutiny over China’s legal system and its use of the death penalty, particularly concerning transparency and due process.
Observers note that Canada has limited diplomatic leverage in this situation, given its relatively small economic and political influence compared to China. However, Ottawa may push for broader international pressure on Beijing, potentially leveraging its alliances with the United States, European Union, and other democracies to raise concerns at global forums like the United Nations.
The executions could also impact bilateral trade relations. China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, but their economic relationship has been marred by past disputes, including restrictions on Canadian canola and meat exports in response to diplomatic spats.
While Joly has vowed that Canada will continue pressing China on human rights and due process issues, Beijing appears resolute in its stance. With relations at a low point, the next steps remain uncertain, but experts predict further diplomatic tensions and potential retaliatory measures from both sides.
The executions serve as a stark reminder of the growing divide between China and Western nations over fundamental legal and human rights values. For Canada, the incident underscores the difficulties of navigating relations with an increasingly assertive China, whose legal system and policies often conflict with Western democratic principles.
As the international community reacts to China’s latest move, pressure may mount on Canada to take stronger action, whether through sanctions, diplomatic expulsions, or coordinated efforts with allies. However, with China’s influence on the global stage, any response will require careful diplomatic maneuvering.
