China Responds ： Canada Protests Execution of 4 for Drug Crimes

  

Source: OT-Team(G), 外交部; The Straits Times

  More Chinese embassies have recently announced the launch of online visa application services.

On March 20, at a regular press conference by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning responded to the issue of four Canadians being executed for drug offences.

AFP: Canada today condemned China for executing Canadian citizens on drug-related charges. They said that those executions had taken place despite protests from the Canadian government. Can the Foreign Ministry provide any more details on these cases? And also, what is China's response to Canada's criticism on this?  

Mao Ning: Combating drug-related crimes is the responsibility of all countries. China is a country that upholds the rule of law. The law treats everyone the same regardless of nationality. The Chinese judicial authorities handle those cases justly in strict accordance with the law. The lawful rights of the defendants and the consular rights of the Canadian side are fully protected as stipulated by the law. Canada should respect the spirit of the rule of law and stop interfering in China's judiciary sovereignty.

According to other related reports, Canada said on March 19 that China had executed four of Canadian citizens on drug smuggling charges earlier in 2025, and strongly condemned Beijing's use of the death penalty.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate.