China to try Canadian citizen on drug charges

A Chinese court will try a Canadian citizen on drugs charges on Saturday, a government-run news portal said, in a case that could further test already difficult relations between Beijing and Ottawa.

News of the trial comes amid heightened tensions following Canada's arrest of Huawei Technologies CFO Wanzhou Meng earlier this month. At least two Canadian citizens were arrested in China following Meng's arrest in apparent retaliation: Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based entrepreneur Michael Spavor have both been accused of "endangering China's security."

China's high court in the northeastern province of Liaoning identified the man as Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, saying he will be tried Saturday on drugs smuggling charges in Dalian.

A government-run news portal accused Schellenberg of smuggling “an enormous amount of drugs” into China.

Canadian authorities have yet to comment on Schellenberg's trial, and it was not immediately clear when he was arrested.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she did not have a grasp on the situation, but added that China had repeatedly made clear to Ottawa its “solemn” stance regarding its relations with Canada.

Drugs offences are routinely punished severely in China.

Drug crimes in China carry serious punishments: In 2009, the country executed a British man who attempted to smuggle heroin, prompting a British outcry over what it said was the lack of any mental health assessment.

Canada has pressed for the release of the two Canadians who China detained this month.

China also has demanded Canada free Meng, who is fighting extradition to the United States.

Canada arrested Meng at the request of the United States, which is engaged in a trade war with China. Meng faces extradition to the United States to face fraud charges that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years jail for each charge.