Australia's acting Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham expressed the government's concern over a Canadian man being sentenced to death for drug smuggling in China - but Beijing will have none of it.

At issue is China's treatment of 36-year old Robert Schellenberg.  He was arrested in 2014 for allegedly scheming to smuggle 222 kilograms of methamphetamines, and eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison.  But in a one-day retrial last week, the judge ruled Schellenberg should be put to death.  Critics believe China is using Schellenberg as a bargaining chip against Canada's treatment of Meng Wangzhou, the top-level Huawei executive who is grounded in Vancouver as a judge decides whether to send her to extradite her to the US where she is accused of selling banned technology to Iran.

"We are deeply concerned with this case, as we are in a consistent way wherever the death penalty is applied," said Mr. Birmingham.  "We expect at a level of principle that not only the death penalty should not be applied but also wherever people are in trouble the rule of law ought be applied fairly."

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Australia shouldn't get involved, as the drug Mr. Schellenberg allegedly smuggled were bound for Oz.

"Does the Australian side wish to see this large batch of drugs arrive in its land and endanger its people?" Ms. Hua asked.  "This Australian official owes an explanation to his people.  Does he wish to see these drugs find their way into his country?

"For serious crimes posing great harm to the society like drug smuggling, I believe it is the international consensus that such crimes shall be strictly handled and punished."