China has told Canada to mind its own business following Ottawa’s protest over the execution of four Canadian citizens for drug-related offenses.

The development has further heightened tensions between the two countries, already strained over a range of issues, including trade disputes, human rights concerns and Canadian navy transits through the disputed Taiwan Strait.

Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment.

Why It Matters

China has some of the world’s toughest drugs laws. For example, trafficking of more than 50 grams of heroin can result in the death penalty.

While the exact number of annual executions for all offences in China remains a state secret, they are estimated to number in the thousands—more than the rest of the world combined. This has drawn criticism from Western governments and human rights organizations, particularly when foreign nationals are involved.

What To Know

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told the press Wednesday that China had put to death four Canadian citizens in recent weeks despite pleas for clemency by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“We strongly condemn the executions,” she said.

Jolie did not disclose the identities of the four, but they were said to have dual citizenship—a status China does not recognize.

Asked to respond Thursday during the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s regular press briefing, spokesperson Mao Ning stated that fighting drug 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,” said Mao.

She stressed that China fully protects defendants’ legal rights, including access to consular officials, and demanded Canada “respect the spirit of the rule of law and stop interfering in China’s judiciary sovereignty.”

It’s unclear whether the executions were related to ongoing friction with Canada. However, China has previously used its judiciary to signal political displeasure, as seen in the cases of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

They were detained on national security charges shortly after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the U.S.’ request on suspicion of fraud and violating sanctions against Iran.

Meng’s arrest resulted in a diplomatic chill between the two countries, and Kovrig and Spavor weren’t released until Meng was allowed to return to China in 2021 in what was widely viewed as a de facto prisoner exchange.

Last year, dual Australian and Chinese citizen and dissident writer Yang Hengjun was handed a suspended death sentence for espionage in a closed trial in Beijing, five years after he was first detained.

What People Are Saying

Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada’s English-speaking section, said in a statement: “These shocking and inhumane executions of Canadian citizens by Chinese authorities should be a wake-up call for Canada. We are devastated for the families of the victims, and we hold them in our hearts as they try to process the unimaginable.

“Our thoughts also go to the loved ones of Canadian citizens whom China is holding on death row or whose whereabouts in the Chinese prison system are unknown.”

What’s Next?

It remains uncertain what impact the executions will have on Beijing-Ottawa ties, now at a crossroads. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, widely seen as a pragmatist, is expected to soon call snap elections.

During this period, he may face growing pressure from opposition leader Pierre Poilievre to take a tougher stance in order to avoid appearing soft on China—a country viewed unfavorably by a strong majority of Canadians.