China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Charges Amid Diplomatic Tensions

China executed four dual Canadian citizens earlier this year on drug-related charges, prompting strong condemnation from Canadian authorities. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that Canada had repeatedly called for clemency for the individuals, but China maintained it acted 'in accordance with the law.' The executions have exacerbated already strained relations between Canada and China, which have been tense since the 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and the subsequent detention of two Canadians. China's foreign ministry emphasized that it treats defendants of all nationalities equally and described drug crimes as severely harmful to society, justifying the harsh penalties. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the executions, calling them inhumane and indicative of China's draconian approach to drug-related offenses. In a separate case, another Canadian, Robert Schellenberg, previously sentenced to death, was spared execution, raising concerns about political motivations behind the charges.