China Urges Canada to Respect Its Laws After Four Executions

China urged respect for its judicial sovereignty after Canada condemned the execution of four of its citizens, further straining ties between the two nations.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Wednesday that four Canadians holding dual citizenship were executed by China on drug-related charges earlier this year, according to local media reports. Ottawa will continue to engage with Beijing and seek leniency for other Canadians facing a similar situation, Joly added.

China defended its justice system, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying, “We treat defendants of different nationalities as equals, handle the cases justly in accordance with law and ...