China has responded to Canada’s protests over the execution of four citizens by accusing Ottawa of making “irresponsible remarks.” The four Canadians were put to death by firing squad in recent months after being convicted of drug crimes.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she personally appealed to Chinese officials for leniency, but Beijing dismissed the request. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa said the cases were handled properly and claimed the evidence was “solid and sufficient.”
🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇳 Trudeau & Carney's Liberals are monumental hypocrites
Trump tariffs? Economic pain and possibly a world war.
China's tariffs and execution of Canadians? Nothing.
They will burn Canada to stop Trump from doing the very thing they are already allowing China to do. pic.twitter.com/SsjDjByK6r
— BlendrNews (@BlendrNews) March 20, 2025
Beijing does not recognize dual citizenship, though the individuals executed were confirmed by Canadian officials to have held Canadian nationality. Chinese officials said they ensured the rights of the accused were protected under Chinese law.
Amnesty International criticized the executions as shocking and said the use of the death penalty by China remains alarmingly high. The group called on Canada to push harder for its citizens facing capital punishment abroad.
Execution with Chinese characteristics:
China executed four Canadians for drug crimes while subsidizing Chinese chemical factories to produce fentanyl for drug lords in Mexico. pic.twitter.com/teuQCjd6aI
— Denise Wu (@denisewu) March 19, 2025
The victims’ names have not been released at the request of their families. A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said support is being provided and the government continues to seek clemency for another Canadian on death row, Robert Schellenberg.
Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig noted that the executions send a message that Beijing is not interested in improving its strained relationship with Ottawa. Conservative MP Michael Chong called the executions unprecedented and politically motivated.
Canada and China have been locked in disputes for years. A 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou triggered retaliation from China, including the arrest of two Canadian citizens. They were freed in 2021 after Meng returned to China following a U.S. legal agreement.
