Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian

Responding to an inquiry regarding China's recent overturn of the death sentence against a Canadian citizen, and whether this could be seen as a sign of improvement in China-Canada relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that China's judicial authorities independently hear relevant cases and render judgments in accordance with the law. 

Lin noted that relevant Chinese judicial authorities have recently reviewed the relevant death penalty case and issued a verdict. For specifics, the spokesperson referred to the competent authorities.

Reuters reported on Monday that China's top court has overturned Robert Schellenberg's death sentence on drug charges, his lawyer said, marking a breakthrough in a case that has strained diplomatic relations between Ottawa and Beijing for years. Schellenberg was arrested in China in 2014 for suspected drug smuggling and convicted in 2018, initially receiving a 15-year prison sentence. He was subsequently condemned to death in a January 2019 retrial.


Global Times