In a dramatic turn that could signal a shift in the often-fraught relationship between China and Canada, China’s Supreme People’s Court on Friday overturned the death sentence of Canadian citizen Robert Lloyd Schellenberg. The decision, confirmed by both Schellenberg’s lawyer and Canadian officials, brings renewed attention to a case that has long been entangled in the diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Schellenberg, who has been detained in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian since 2014, was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug smuggling. Yet, in a move widely seen as politically charged, a Chinese court retried him in January 2019—just weeks after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver—and handed down a death sentence. According to The Guardian, Amnesty International described the one-day retrial as "a flagrant violation of international law." Schellenberg has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing throughout the ordeal.
The Supreme People’s Court’s decision to strike down the death sentence was confirmed by Schellenberg’s lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, who told The New York Times that the case would now be retried by the Liaoning high people’s court. Zhang expressed optimism about the outcome, noting, “It is unlikely that my client would be given the death penalty again.” He also shared that he met with Schellenberg in Dalian on Friday and found him to be "relatively relaxed," despite the uncertainty still ahead.
Canada’s foreign ministry, Global Affairs Canada, acknowledged the court’s decision in a carefully worded statement. Spokesperson Thida Ith said, “Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is aware of a decision issued by the supreme people’s court of the People’s Republic of China in Mr. Robert Schellenberg’s case. Canada has advocated for clemency in this case, as it does for all Canadians who are sentenced to the death penalty.” The ministry added that it would continue to provide consular services to Schellenberg and his family.
The saga surrounding Schellenberg’s fate has been closely watched in both countries, not just for its legal implications but for what it reveals about the broader diplomatic climate. The timing of Schellenberg’s 2019 retrial, coming so soon after Meng Wanzhou's arrest, fueled allegations of "hostage diplomacy." As reported by The New York Times, Meng’s detention deeply angered Beijing, which quickly detained two Canadians—Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig—on espionage charges in what Ottawa condemned as a retaliatory move. The international community, including human rights groups, criticized the apparent tit-for-tat detentions and called for due process and transparency.
The long shadow cast by these events only began to recede in September 2021, when Meng was released following a deferred prosecution agreement with U.S. authorities. On the very same day, Spavor and Kovrig were also freed, ending what many Canadians saw as a painful chapter in the country’s foreign policy. Yet, the case of Schellenberg lingered, a stark reminder of the unresolved tensions between Ottawa and Beijing.
The recent decision to overturn Schellenberg’s death sentence arrives at a moment when both countries appear eager to reset their relationship. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who assumed office in 2025, has made no secret of his intention to diversify Canada’s trade partners and lessen the nation’s economic reliance on the United States. According to The Guardian, Carney traveled to China in January 2026, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and announced a "new strategic partnership" along with a preliminary trade deal. The backdrop for these efforts has been the economic strain caused by U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, which have hit key sectors of the Canadian economy hard.
Despite ongoing tensions—including unresolved concerns about alleged Chinese interference in Canadian elections—Carney has emphasized the necessity of a "functioning relationship" with Beijing. He’s argued that, for Canada to safeguard its economic future, it can no longer afford to see China merely as an adversary. The prime minister’s January visit was widely interpreted as an attempt to thaw relations and open new avenues for cooperation.
It remains unclear, however, whether Carney’s diplomatic overtures had any direct impact on the Chinese court’s decision in Schellenberg’s case. When pressed by reporters, Global Affairs Canada declined to comment on whether discussions during the prime minister’s visit influenced the timing or substance of the ruling. "Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be provided," spokesperson Thida Ith stated.
For Schellenberg and his family, the court’s decision marks a significant, if incomplete, victory. The next step will be a retrial in the Liaoning high people’s court, though the date for this proceeding has not yet been set. Zhang, Schellenberg’s lawyer, remains cautiously hopeful, noting that the Supreme People’s Court’s decision suggests a less severe outcome is likely. Still, the case is far from over, and the Canadian government has pledged to maintain its support until a final resolution is reached.
Observers see the ruling as part of a broader recalibration in China-Canada relations. While the scars of the Meng Wanzhou affair and the detentions of Spavor and Kovrig have not fully healed, both governments appear to recognize the mutual benefits of a more stable, pragmatic partnership. As Carney declared during his visit to Beijing, “Ottawa needs a functioning relationship with Beijing to safeguard its economic future.” The preliminary trade deal announced last month is a tangible sign of this new direction, though skeptics caution that the relationship remains fragile and subject to sudden shifts.
For now, the fate of Robert Lloyd Schellenberg hangs in the balance, emblematic of the complex interplay between justice, diplomacy, and national interest. His case has become a touchstone for how Canada and China manage their differences—and, perhaps, for how they might find common ground in the years ahead.