China Says Acted 'In Accordance With The Law' After 4 Canadians Executed

China classifies death penalty statistics as a state secret, though rights groups including Amnesty International believe thousands of people are executed in the country every year (Credit: AFP)

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.