31/12/2009 Statement of the Chinese Embassy on…

Statement of the Chinese Embassy on the Case of Akmal Shaikh

2009/12/29

Dec 29th, 2009

Akmal Shaikh was convicted for serious drug trafficking. The amount of heroin he brought into
China was 4030g, enough to cause 26800 deaths, threatening numerous families. According to
the Chinese law, 50g of heroin is the threshold for death penalty. It is important that the
independence of the Chinese judiciary be respected.

During the legal process, Mr. Shaikh’s rights and interests were properly respected and
guaranteed and the concerns of the British side were duly noted and taken into consideration by
the Chinese judicial authorities. Out of humanitarian consideration, visas were granted to the two
cousins of Mr. Shaikh on Boxing Day, and they were given access to meeting Mr. Shaikh
inChina.

As for his possible mental illness which has been much talked about, there apparently has been
no previous medical record.

Drug trafficking is a grave crime worldwide. InChina, given the bitter memory of history and the
current situations, the public has a particular and strong resentment towards it. In a recent web
survey, 99% of the public support the decision of the Court.

InChina the conditions are not there for abolishing the death penalty. But it is applied in a
cautious manner and limited number, all such cases are reviewed by the Supreme Court.

The legal structures ofChina and UK may be different, but it should not stand in the way of
enhancing our bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect.

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland All Rights Reserved

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