China executed 4 Canadians this year, Ottawa says

China executed four Canadian nationals in recent weeks despite mercy pleas by the Canadian government, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Wednesday.

"We strongly condemn the executions that did happen against Canadians in China," Joly said while addressing the media in Ottawa.

Joly said she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had asked for clemency.

"I asked personally for leniency ... They were all dual citizens."

She said she cannot disclose more details as the families of the four Canadians have requested privacy.

Canada continues to provide consular support to the families and has requested that the media respect their privacy, Global Affairs spokeswoman Charlotte MacLeod said.

What did China say?

As per China's statement published by the Globe and Mail newspaper, the four Canadians were found guilty of drug offenses.

"Drug-related crime is a severe crime recognized worldwide as extremely harmful to the society," the statement sent to the Globe said.

"China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a 'zero tolerance' attitude toward the drug problem."

"The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient," a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said.

The embassy spokesperson said Beijing "fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned," and urged Canada's government to "stop making irresponsible remarks."

Relations between the two countries have soured in recent years, with China imposing retaliatory tariffs on imports this month.

The two countries also locked horns over allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections in 2019 and 2021.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery