China says acted in accordance with the law after 4 Canadians executed [Video]

China said on Thursday it acted “in accordance with the law” despite condemnation from Canada over the execution of four Canadian citizens in recent weeks.

Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday that China had executed four Canadian citizens in recent weeks, defying pleas from Ottawa for leniency.

“We strongly condemn the executions that did happen against Canadians in China,” Joly said.

She said she was unable to discuss details of the case due to privacy requests from the affected families.

However, Beijing suggested on Thursday the Canadians had been convicted over narcotics offences, saying “… combating drug crimes is the common responsibility of all countries”.

“China is a country under the rule of law,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

Beijing, she said, “treats defendants of different nationalities equally without discrimination” and “handles cases fairly in strict accordance with the law”.

China “protects the legitimate …