China Executes Four Canadians, Escalating Tensions with Ottawa
The already strained relationship between Canada and China has reached a new low following the execution of four Canadian citizens in recent months. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed the executions on Wednesday, stating that she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had personally appealed for clemency on behalf of the individuals, who were convicted on drug-related charges.
The executions, considered a relatively rare occurrence for Westerners in China, have sparked strong condemnation from Ottawa and further fueled concerns about Beijing’s human rights record and its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with Canada. The identities of the executed individuals have not been publicly released at the request of their families.
According to Beijing’s embassy in Ottawa, the executions were carried out in accordance with Chinese law for serious drug offenses. The embassy also emphasized China’s policy of not recognizing dual citizenship. This stance effectively dismisses any special consideration based on the individuals’ Canadian nationality.
"We strongly condemn the executions," Minister Joly told reporters in Ottawa. "I asked personally for leniency… They were all dual citizens." She reiterated Canada’s consistent advocacy for clemency for Canadians facing the death penalty abroad.
Global Affairs spokeswoman Charlotte MacLeod stated that the government continues to provide consular assistance to the families and urged the media to respect their privacy. She also affirmed Ottawa’s ongoing efforts to advocate for clemency for Robert Schellenberg, another Canadian citizen currently sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling.
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy defended the executions, stating, "China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes. The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient."
China is believed to execute more prisoners each year than the rest of the world combined, although the exact number remains a state secret. Executions in China are traditionally carried out by gunshot, although lethal injections have been introduced in some cases.
The embassy spokesperson further asserted that Beijing "fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned" and urged the Canadian government to "stop making irresponsible remarks."
The executions come at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries, marked by a series of trade disputes and lingering resentment over past diplomatic clashes. Earlier this month, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on certain Canadian farm and food imports after Canada levied duties in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum products. These tit-for-tat tariffs exacerbate global trade tensions already inflamed by similar actions from the United States and Mexico.
Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China, suggested that the executions represent a deliberate message from Beijing. "China is sending us a message that we have to take steps if we want to see an improvement in the relationship," he said.
Ian Brodie, a former chief of staff to ex-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, expressed his shock on social media, commenting that "agricultural tariffs weren’t the worst part of the PRC response to EV tariffs."
Opposition Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong echoed this sentiment, characterizing the executions as "unprecedented" and "clearly a sign that Beijing has no intention of improving relations with Canada."
While China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, relations have been strained since the 2018 arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a former Huawei executive, by Canadian authorities at the request of the United States, where she faced fraud charges.
Following Meng’s arrest, China detained two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on espionage charges in a move widely perceived as retaliation. The two Canadians were released and returned to Canada in 2021, coinciding with Meng’s return to China after reaching a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. authorities.
Many countries condemned China’s actions as "hostage politics," while China has consistently maintained that the charges against Huawei and Meng Wanzhou were politically motivated and designed to impede China’s economic and technological advancement.
Amnesty International has also condemned the executions. The organization’s head for English-speaking Canada, Ketty Nivyabandi, stated, "These shocking and inhumane executions of Canadian citizens by Chinese authorities should be a wake-up call for Canada." Amnesty International reported that China executed thousands of people in 2023, highlighting the country’s status as the world’s leading executioner.
The executions of the four Canadians are likely to have significant and long-lasting implications for Canada-China relations. The Canadian government is under increasing pressure to respond firmly to Beijing’s actions, potentially through diplomatic sanctions, trade restrictions, or other measures. However, any response must be carefully calibrated to avoid further escalating tensions and harming Canadian interests.
The incident also raises broader questions about the role of capital punishment in international relations and the challenges of protecting the rights of citizens facing legal proceedings in countries with different legal systems and human rights standards. The case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and sensitivities involved in navigating diplomatic relations with a global power like China, particularly in the context of differing values and political ideologies. The road ahead for Canada and China appears fraught with challenges, and the path to reconciliation remains uncertain.
