China has flatly rejected Canadian anger over the execution of four citizens accused of drug offenses, calling Ottawa’s criticism “irresponsible.” The remarks came after Canada’s top officials requested clemency and condemned the executions.
The Chinese government defended its actions, saying the individuals were found guilty of serious drug crimes and that their trials were fair. Chinese officials claimed the rights of those executed were fully respected under local law.
🇨🇦🇺🇸🇨🇳 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
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked Beijing for mercy before the executions were carried out. Despite those efforts, all four were executed by firing squad in recent months.
While the Canadian government withheld the identities of the four individuals, Joly confirmed they were dual citizens. China, however, does not recognize dual citizenship and treated them solely as Chinese nationals under its system.
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
Amnesty International called the killings inhumane and criticized China’s use of the death penalty. The group’s representative for Canada urged the government to reevaluate its relationship with Beijing in light of the executions.
Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat once jailed in China, said the response from Beijing shows little interest in easing tensions with Ottawa. The executions, he said, make clear that improving diplomatic relations is not one of China’s current goals.
Trade tensions between the two countries have also worsened. Canada recently placed tariffs on Chinese-made goods, including electric vehicles. In response, China slapped tariffs on Canadian agriculture and food exports earlier this month.
The Canadian government continues to request clemency for Robert Schellenberg, another Canadian sentenced to death for drug-related charges in China.
