China defended its execution of four Canadian citizens despite condemnation from Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, who revealed the executions took place in recent weeks. Beijing asserted that it acted "in accordance with the law", suggesting the individuals had been convicted of narcotics-related offences.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated that China treats all defendants equally and adheres to the rule of law. A statement from China’s embassy to Canada emphasized its zero-tolerance policy on drug crimes, calling them "severely harmful to society".

Joly confirmed that she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had pleaded for leniency, but China proceeded with the executions. Relations between Beijing and Ottawa have remained tense since the 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and China’s retaliatory detention of two Canadians.

Additional diplomatic friction arose from alleged Chinese election interference and human rights concerns, including the treatment of Uyghurs. Canada had also expelled a Chinese diplomat in 2023 over alleged targeting of a Canadian opposition lawmaker.