Canadian officials announced Wednesday that China has executed four Canadian citizens this year, a relatively uncommon occurrence for Westerners.

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly stated that both she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had appealed for leniency in the drug-related cases involving the dual citizens.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa defended the executions as a result of drug offenses, pointing out that China does not recognize dual citizenship.

“We strongly condemn the executions,” Joly told reporters in Ottawa. “I personally requested leniency… They were all dual citizens.”

Joly added that Canada consistently requests clemency for Canadians facing the death penalty in other countries. She noted that the families have requested the government to keep the identities of the four individuals private.

Global Affairs spokeswoman Charlotte MacLeod stated that they are continuing to provide consular support to the families and asked the media to respect their privacy. She also mentioned that Ottawa is still advocating for clemency for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

According to a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, “China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes,” adding, “The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient.”

It is believed that China executes more prisoners annually than all other countries combined, although the exact number is a state secret. Executions are typically carried out by gunshot, but lethal injections have been implemented in recent years.

The embassy spokesperson asserted that Beijing “fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned” and urged the Canadian government to “stop making irresponsible remarks.”

Tensions exist between the two countries. Earlier this month, China imposed retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports, following Canada’s imposition of duties in October on electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products made in China. These tariffs contribute to global trade tensions involving the United States, China, Canada, and Mexico.

Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China, stated, “China is sending us a message that we have to take steps if we want to see an improvement in the relationship.”

Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to ex-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, commented on social media that “agricultural tariffs weren’t the worst part of the PRC response to EV tariffs.”

Opposition Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong said that “executing a number of Canadians in short order is unprecedented and is clearly a sign that Beijing has no intention of improving relations.”

China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, but relations have been strained since Canadian authorities arrested a former Huawei executive in 2018 on U.S. fraud charges.

Shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the company’s founder, on a U.S. extradition request, China jailed two Canadians. They were returned to Canada in 2021, the same day Meng returned to China after reaching a deal with U.S. authorities in her case.

Many countries described China’s action as “hostage politics,” while China characterized the charges against Huawei and Meng as a politically motivated attempt to hinder its technological advancement.

Amnesty International condemned the executions, noting that China executed thousands of people in 2023.

“These shocking and inhumane executions of Canadian citizens by Chinese authorities should be a wake-up call for Canada,” said Ketty Nivyabandi, the group’s head for English-speaking Canada, in a statement Wednesday.